Hip-to-waist and waist-to-crotch silhouette(s) of absorbent article(s) comprising beamed elastics

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprising belts comprising one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low decitex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test in the Method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm), resulting in a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette from about 0.8 to about 1.1 and a Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette from about 0.8 to about 2.0 to provide for the advantages described above.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit, under 35 USC 119(e), to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/436,589, filed on Dec. 20, 2016(P&G 14618P); U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/483,965, filedon Apr. 11, 2017 (P&G 14778P); U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/553,149, filed on Sep. 1, 2017 (P&G 14917P); U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/553,171, filed on Sep. 1, 2017 (P&G 14918P); U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/553,538, filed on Sep. 1, 2017(P&G 14921P); and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/581,278,filed on Nov. 3, 2017 (P&G 15007P); each of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles, more particularly,to disposable absorbent articles comprising improved elastomericlaminates configured to perform in various components of the disposableabsorbent articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure details elastomeric laminates which allowelastomeric absorbent article components (e.g., belts, side panels,etc.) to incorporated into absorbent articles to create more rectangularshapes. The inventive elastomeric laminates as disclosed herein enableproducts which deliver consumer preferred stretch properties (modulus,pressure on body, air permeability, etc.), while maintaining a wideflexibility in product dimensions (via pre-strain). They accomplish thisvia the wide latitude of moduli not available with today's marketedstranded products. Today's marketed stranded products are limited intheir modulus range. This is due to their strand spacing's and stranddecitex, which result in a relatively low modulus and therefore requiremore stretch to deliver the necessary pressure for sustaining fit.Therefore, they typically require more pre-strain, hence result in amore contracted relaxed product. A key benefit of present disclosure isthat the improved elastomeric laminates deliver sufficient wearingpressure, necessary for good fit, without the amount of pre-strainrequired in today's currently marketed stranded closed-form pantarticles. This results in articles that have greater dimensionalflexibility without compromising wearing comfort and good fit.

A key benefit of having the Relaxed Product Waist Width, the RelaxedProduct Hip Width, and the Relaxed Product Crotch Width (each definedbelow) relatively equal to each other is that they combine to create amore rectangular, more uniform, and, hence, a more stable package.Absorbent articles are generally distributed to consumers in packages ofmultiple stacked articles, as illustrated in FIG. 17. The moredimensionally rectangular the articles, in particular at lateral andlongitudinal distal edges, the greater the uniformity and stability ofthe package. The stability of the package is further enhanced if thelateral distal edges are roughly parallel to each other and longitudinaldistal edges are roughly parallel to each other. This creates agenerally rectangular shape, enabling improved package stability, whichallows greater ease of shipping and storing (e.g., in trucks and onstore shelves). For Adult incontinence diapers, due to their largeroverall dimensions, the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette can be fromabout 0.8 up to about 2.8. This still facilitates rectangular, stablepackages without the necessity for a Relaxed Product Crotch Width thatis too large relative to the size of the wearer.

The present disclosure also details elastomeric laminates that enablethe design concepts detailed above. The inventive elastomeric laminatesdisclosed herein comprise a greater number of elastic strands having agreater fineness and a closer spacing than has been previously disclosedor practiced in disposable absorbent articles. These improvedelastomeric laminates can be used as disposable absorbent article (e.g.,taped diapers, pants, pads, and liners) components for fit and gasketingat the waist, legs, crotch, and sides of the wearer to generally providethe greatest level of extensibility, the most comfortable wearingconditions, improved leakage protection, and a better fit.

More particularly, these improved elastomeric laminates offer severaladvantages that enable the best executions of the design conceptsdetailed above, including less pressure of the elastics on the wearer'sskin at a given modulus versus traditional elastomeric laminates knowntoday. These improvements result in enhancing application, fit, comfort,and reduced marking of the wearer's skin. The inventive elastomericlaminates disclosed in this application perform better than traditionalstranded and film versions of laminates used in disposable absorbentarticles today.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one disclosed example, an absorbent article may comprise a frontwaist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region therebetween, achassis, a back belt, and a front belt. The chassis may comprise atopsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between thetopsheet and the backsheet, and the chassis may comprise a front endedge, a back end edge, and a pair of laterally opposing side edges. Theback belt may be disposed in the back waist region and overlap andextend outboard of the back end edge of the chassis. A front belt may bedisposed in the front waist region and overlap and extend outboard ofthe front end edge of the chassis. The front belt may be joined to theback belt at or adjacent the laterally opposing belt side edges to formleg openings and a waist opening to form a closed-form pant. Alongitudinal axis may extend from the midpoint of the front waist edgeto the midpoint of the back waist edge and a lateral axis may extendperpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the midpoint of thelongitudinal axis. The back belt may comprise a first plurality ofelastics comprising greater than about 40 elastic strands, and the frontbelt may comprise a second plurality of elastics comprising greater thanabout 40 elastic strands. The first plurality of elastics may have anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than 4 mm, and the second plurality ofelastics may have an Average-Strand-Spacing of less than 4 mm. Theabsorbent article may have a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette from about0.8 to about 1.1, a Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette may be from about0.8 to about 2.0, a Relaxed Product Waist Width from about 80 mm toabout 270 mm, and a Relaxed Product Hip Width from about 80 mm to about300 mm.

The Relaxed Product Waist Width may be from about 170 mm to about 270mm, and the Relaxed Product Hip Width may be from about 170 to about 300mm.

The Relaxed Product Waist Width may be from about 80 mm to about 180 mm,and the Relaxed Product Hip Width may be from about 80 mm to about 200mm.

The back belt may comprise a first plurality of elastics comprisinggreater than about 70 elastic strands, and the front belt may comprise asecond plurality of elastics comprising greater than about 50 elasticstrands.

The first plurality of elastics may have an Average-Strand-Spacing ofless than 3 mm, and the second plurality of elastics may have anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than 3 mm.

An Average-Dtex of the first plurality of elastics may be from about 10to about 500, and the Average-Dtex of the second plurality of elasticsmay be from about 10 to about 500.

A Pressure-Under-Strand of the first plurality of elastics may be fromabout 0.1 to about 1 psi, and the Pressure-Under-Strand of the secondplurality of elastics is from about 0.1 to about 1 psi.

The back belt may be divided into 4 equal sections, wherein Section 4may comprise a proximal end edge of the back belt, Section 1 maycomprise a distal end edge of the back belt, Section 2 may be proximateto Section 1 and Section 3 may be proximate to Section 4, where at leasttwo of the sections may each have greater than 10 elastic strands; andwhere the front belt may be divided into 4 equal sections, whereinSection 4 may comprise a proximal end edge of the back belt, Section 1may comprise a distal end edge of the back belt, Section 2 may beproximate to Section 1 and Section 3 may be proximate to Section 4,where at least two of the sections may each have greater than 10 elasticstrands.

Section 1 of the back belt may be longitudinally longer than Section 1of the front belt.

The first plurality of elastics of the back belt may be between an innerand an outer nonwoven, and where the second plurality of elastics of thefront belt may be between an inner and an outer nonwoven, and where theinner nonwovens of the front and back belts may be separate and distinctand longitudinally spaced from each other, and where the outer nonwovensof the front and back belts may be separate and distinct andlongitudinally spaced from each other.

In another disclosed example, an absorbent article may comprise a frontwaist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region therebetween, achassis, a back belt, and a front belt. The chassis may comprise atopsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between thetopsheet and the backsheet, and the chassis may comprise a front endedge, a back end edge, and a pair of laterally opposing side edges. Theback belt may be disposed in the back waist region overlapping andextending outboard of the back end edge of the chassis. The front beltdisposed in the front waist region overlapping and extending outboard ofthe front end edge of the chassis.

The front belt may be joined to the back belt at or adjacent thelaterally opposing belt side edges to form leg openings and a waistopening to form a closed-form pant. A longitudinal axis may extend fromthe midpoint of the front waist edge to the midpoint of the back waistedge, and a lateral axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis through the midpoint of the longitudinal axis. The back belt maycomprise a first plurality of elastics comprising greater than about 60elastic strands, and the front belt may comprise a second plurality ofelastics comprising greater than about 60 elastic strands. The firstplurality of elastics may have an Average-Strand-Spacing of less than 4mm, and the second plurality of elastics may have anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than 4 mm. The absorbent article may havea Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette is from about 0.8 to about 1.08, aProduct-Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette is from about 0.8 to about 2.8, aRelaxed Product Waist Width from about 200 mm to about 400 mm, and aRelaxed Product Hip Width from about 200 mm to about 450 mm.

The Relaxed Product Waist Width may be from about 300 mm to about 400 mmand a Relaxed Product Hip Width from about 300 mm to about 450 mm.

The Relaxed Product Waist Width may be from about 200 mm to about 300 mmand a Relaxed Product Hip Width from about 200 mm to about 350 mm.

The back belt may comprise a first plurality of elastics comprisinggreater than about 80 elastic strands, and the front belt may comprise asecond plurality of elastics comprising greater than about 80 elasticstrands.

The first plurality of elastics may have an Average-Strand-Spacing ofless than 2.5 mm, and the second plurality of elastics may have anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than 2.5 mm.

The Average-Dtex of the first plurality of elastics may be from about 10to about 500, and the Average-Dtex of the second plurality of elasticsmay be from about 10 to about 500.

The Pressure-Under-Strand of the first plurality of elastics may be fromabout 0.1 to about 1 psi, and the Pressure-Under-Strand of the secondplurality of elastics may be from about 0.1 to about 1 psi.

The back belt may be divided into 4 equal sections, where Section 4 maycomprise a proximal end edge of the back belt, Section 1 may comprise adistal end edge of the back belt, Section 2 may be proximate to Section1 and Section 3 may be proximate to Section 4, where at least two of thesections may each have greater than 20 elastic strands; and where thefront belt may be divided into 4 equal sections, wherein Section 4 maycomprise a proximal end edge of the back belt, Section 1 may comprise adistal end edge of the back belt, Section 2 may be proximate to Section1 and Section 3 may be proximate to Section 4, where at least two of thesections may each have greater than 20 elastic strands.

The first plurality of elastics of the back belt may be between an innerand an outer nonwoven, and where the second plurality of elastics of thefront belt may be between an inner and an outer nonwoven, and where theinner nonwovens of the front and back belts are separate and distinctand longitudinally spaced from each other, and where the outer nonwovensof the front and back belts may have a common nonwoven layer thatextends continuously from a distal end edge of the front belt to adistal end edge of the back belt.

The first plurality of elastics of the back belt may be between an innerand an outer nonwoven, and where the second plurality of elastics of thefront belt may be between an inner and an outer nonwoven, and where theinner nonwovens of the front and back belts may be a common nonwovenlayer that extends continuously from a distal end edge of the front beltto a distal end edge of the back belt, and where the outer nonwovens ofthe front and back belts may be a common nonwoven layer that extendscontinuously from a distal end edge of the front belt to a distal endedge of the back belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows illustrates the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette and ProductWaist-to-Crotch Silhouette.

FIG. 2 shows a closed-form pant product in its laid out, relaxed, andunfolded state.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a pant comprising side panels with refastenableside seams.

FIG. 3A is a cross section view of a refastenable seam taken along line3A-3A of the pant of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3B is a plan view of the pant illustrated in FIG. 3, prior tojoining the side panels to form the waist and leg openings.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a pant comprising integral side panels, priorto joining the side panels to form the waist and leg openings.

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of a pant comprising belts comprisingmultiple elastics zones.

FIG. 5A is a perspective back view of the pant of FIG. 5

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of a pant comprising discrete beltshaving both continuous and discontinuous elastics.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the pant of FIG. 6, prior to joining side edgesof the belt to form the waist and leg openings.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the belt pant ofFIG. 7 illustrating an elasticized topsheet and an elasticizedbacksheet.

FIG. 7B is a cross section view of the pant of FIG. 7A taken along thetransverse axis, illustrating the elasticized topsheet (showing aplurality of elastics 316 oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis42) and the elasticized backsheet (showing a plurality of elastics 316oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis 42).

FIG. 7C is a cross section view of an alternate embodiment of the pantof FIG. 7A taken along the transverse axis, wherein the core wrapcompletely surrounds the core 128, wherein a plurality of elastics 316are oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis 42 between the corewrap 74 and the backsheet 125 and oriented parallel with thelongitudinal axis 42 between the core wrap 74 and the topsheet 124, andwherein the core 128 comprises AGM 51 mixed with pulp 53.

FIG. 7D is a cross section view of an alternate embodiment of the pantof FIG. 7 taken along the longitudinal axis 42, showing longitudinallyopposing discrete belts, wherein a plurality of elastics 316 areoriented parallel with the lateral axis 44 between the core wrap 74 andthe topsheet 124 and oriented parallel with the lateral axis 44 betweenthe backsheet film 126 and the backsheet nonwoven 127.

FIG. 7E is a cross section view of an alternate embodiment of the beltpant of FIG. 7 taken along the longitudinal axis 42, showinglongitudinally opposing discrete inner belt layers 432 and a commonouter belt layer 434, and showing a plurality of elastics 316 extendingcontinuously across the core.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a pant prior to joining side edges of the beltsto form the waist and leg openings, illustrating multiple beamed elasticzones disposed in the low motion zones of a potential wearer.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a taped diaper comprising a pair of shapeddiscrete elastomeric ear panels 530 and a pair of non-elastomeric earpanels 540.

FIG. 9A is a perspective front view of the taped diaper of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a taped diaper comprising a pair of discreteelastomeric ear panels and a pair of non-elastomeric ear panels and ashaped backsheet.

FIG. 11 is an exterior plan view of a feminine hygiene article 801,specifically a liner.

FIG. 11A is an interior plan view of the feminine hygiene article 801 ofFIG. 11 illustrating leg cuffs 52.

FIG. 11B is a cross section view of the feminine hygiene article 801,along the lateral axis 44 of the feminine hygiene article 801 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an interior plan view of a feminine hygiene article 801,specifically a pad, illustrating elasticized wings 802, where theplurality of elastics 316 are at approximately 45 degree angles relativeto the longitudinal axis 42 and lateral axis 44.

FIG. 12A is an exterior plan view of an alternative embodiment of thefeminine hygiene article 801 of FIG. 12 illustrating elasticized wings802, wherein the plurality of elastics 316 are oriented parallel withthe longitudinal axis 42.

FIG. 12B is a cross section view of the feminine hygiene article 801,along line 12B/C-12B/C of the feminine hygiene article 801 of FIG. 12A,illustrating strands between the layers making up the wings.

FIG. 12C is a cross section view of an alternative embodiment of thefeminine hygiene article 801, along line 12B/C-12B/C of the femininehygiene article 801 of FIG. 12A, illustrating only one layer of strandsbetween the layers making up the wings, as well as strands underlying orforming a portion of the topsheet 124 and secondary topsheet 124′.

FIG. 13 is a perspective interior top view of a taped article comprisinga transverse barrier.

FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of a converting apparatus adapted tomanufacture an elastomeric laminate including a first plurality ofelastics positioned between a first substrate and a second substrate.

FIG. 14A is a view of the converting apparatus of FIG. 14 taken alongline 14A-14A.

FIG. 15 illustrates the SECTION-MODULUS.

FIG. 16 illustrates Pressure-Under-Strand.

FIG. 17 illustrates packaged articles with a sizing indicia and with aProduct Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of from about 0.8 to about 1.1, and aProduct Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette of from about 0.8 to about 2.0.

FIG. 18 is a chart which shows how the Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette andAverage Body Hip-to-Waist Silhouette changes as body weight increases.

FIG. 19 is a chart which shows examples of existing product arrays andhow their Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes compare to the BodyHip-to-Waist Silhouettes for the weight range each product is targetedto fit.

FIG. 20 shows Bar C (604) and Bar O (605) of the Sample HolderApparatus.

FIG. 21 shows a flat, unfolded closed-form pant.

FIG. 22 shows a closed-form pant in the testing apparatus.

FIG. 23 is a chart showing force relaxation over time for variouselastomeric laminates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure details improved elastomeric laminates (alsoreferred to as “beamed elastomeric laminates” comprising “beamedelastics”) comprising a greater number of elastic strands having agreater fineness (i.e., lower decitex) and a closer spacing than hasbeen previously disclosed or practiced in disposable absorbent articles.These improved elastomeric laminates can be used as disposable absorbentarticle (for, example, taped diapers, pants, pads, and liners)components for fit and gasketing at the waist, legs, crotch and sides ofthe wearer to generally provide the greatest level of extensibility, themost comfortable wearing conditions, improved leakage protection and abetter fit.

The following term explanations may be useful in understanding thepresent disclosure:

“Disposable,” in reference to absorbent articles, means that theabsorbent articles, are generally not intended to be laundered orotherwise restored or reused as absorbent articles (i.e., they areintended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to berecycled, composted or otherwise discarded in an environmentallycompatible manner). Disposable absorbent articles often compriseadhesive between the layers and/or a plurality of elastics to hold thearticle together (e.g., ear panels, side panels, and belts are joined tothe chassis via adhesive and the layers of the ear panels, side panels,belts, and chassis are joined together using adhesive). Alternatively,heat and/or pressure bonding are used with the adhesive or in place ofthe adhesive. In such instances portions of the material layers maybecome partially melted and pressed together such that once cooled theyare physically bonded together. Nonwovens (including, for example,polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.) adhesives (including, for example,styrenic block copolymers (e.g., SIS, SBS)), and absorbent gellingmaterial (AGM 51—see FIGS. 7 and 7B) make up more than 50%, more than75%, and often more than 90% of the disposable absorbent article weight.And, a core comprising the AGM 51 is often held within the chassis in amanner that would encapsulate and contain the AGM 51 under normalconditions. Such disposable absorbent articles typically have anabsorbent capacity of greater than about 100 mL of fluid and can havecapacities of up to about 500 mL of fluid or more. Stitching (includingthe use of thread) and/or woven materials are typically not used to makea disposable absorbent article. If stitching or woven materials areused, they make up an extremely small percentage of the disposableabsorbent article. Some landing zones of disposable absorbent articlesfor fasteners can comprise a woven material, but no other part of adisposable absorbent article typically comprises woven materials.

“Absorbent article” refers to devices, which absorb and contain bodyexudates and, more specifically, refers to devices, which are placedagainst or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and containthe various exudates discharged from the body. Exemplary absorbentarticles include diapers, training pants, pull-on pant-type diapers(i.e., a diaper having a pre-formed waist opening and leg openings suchas illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,487), refastenable diapers orpant-type diapers, incontinence briefs and undergarments, diaper holdersand liners, feminine hygiene garments such as panty liners, femininepads, absorbent inserts, and the like.

“Proximal” and “Distal” refer respectively to the location of an elementrelatively near to or far from the longitudinal or lateral centerline ofa structure (e.g., the proximal edge of a longitudinally extendingelement is located nearer to the longitudinal axis than the distal edgeof the same element is located relative to the same longitudinal axis).

“Body-facing” and “garment-facing” refer respectively to the relativelocation of an element or a surface of an element or group of elements.“Body-facing” implies the element or surface is nearer to the wearerduring wear than some other element or surface. “Garment-facing” impliesthe element or surface is more remote from the wearer during wear thansome other element or surface (i.e., element or surface is proximate tothe wearer's garments that may be worn over the disposable absorbentarticle).

“Longitudinal” refers to a direction running substantially perpendicularfrom a waist edge to an opposing waist edge of the article and generallyparallel to the maximum linear dimension of the article. Directionswithin 45 degrees of the longitudinal direction are considered to be“longitudinal.”

“Lateral” refers to a direction running from a longitudinally extendingside edge to an opposing longitudinally extending side edge of thearticle and generally at a right angle to the longitudinal direction.Directions within 45 degrees of the lateral direction are considered tobe “lateral.”

“Disposed” refers to an element being located in a particular place orposition.

“Joined” encompasses configurations whereby an element is directlysecured to another element by affixing the element directly to the otherelement, and configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured toanother element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s),which, in turn are affixed to the other element.

“Water-permeable” and “water-impermeable” refer to the penetrability ofmaterials in the context of the intended usage of disposable absorbentarticles. Specifically, the term “water-permeable” refers to a layer ora layered structure having pores, openings, and/or interconnected voidspaces that permit liquid water, urine, or synthetic urine to passthrough its thickness in the absence of a forcing pressure. Conversely,the term “water-impermeable” refers to a layer or a layered structurethrough the thickness of which liquid water, urine, or synthetic urinecannot pass in the absence of a forcing pressure (aside from naturalforces such as gravity). A layer or a layered structure that iswater-impermeable according to this definition may be permeable to watervapor, i.e., may be “vapor-permeable.”

“Elastic,” “elastomer,” or “elastomeric” refers to materials exhibitingelastic properties, which include any material that upon application ofa force to its relaxed, initial length can stretch or elongate to anelongated length more than 10% greater than its initial length and willsubstantially recover back to about its initial length upon release ofthe applied force. Elastomeric materials may include elastomeric films,scrims, nonwovens, ribbons, strands and other sheet-like structures.

“Pre-strain” refers to the strain imposed on an elastic or elastomericmaterial prior to combining it with another element of the elastomericlaminate or the absorbent article. Pre-strain is determined by thefollowing equation Pre-strain=((extended length of the elastic-relaxedlength of the elastic)/relaxed length of the elastic)*100.

“Decitex” also known as “Dtex” is a measurement used in the textileindustry used for measuring yarns or filaments. 1 Decitex=1 gram per10,000 meters. In other words, if 10,000 linear meters of a yarn orfilament weights 500 grams that yarn or filament would have a decitex of500.

“Substrate” is used herein to describe a material which is primarilytwo-dimensional (i.e. in an XY plane) and whose thickness (in a Zdirection) is relatively small (i.e. 1/10 or less) in comparison to itslength (in an X direction) and width (in a Y direction). Non-limitingexamples of substrates include a web, layer or layers of fibrousmaterials, nonwovens, films and foils such as polymeric films ormetallic foils. These materials may be used alone or may comprise two ormore layers laminated together. As such, a web is a substrate.

“Nonwoven” refers herein to a material made from continuous (long)filaments (fibers) and/or discontinuous (short) filaments (fibers) byprocesses such as spunbonding, meltblowing, carding, and the like.Nonwovens do not have a woven or knitted filament pattern.

“Machine direction” (MD) is used herein to refer to the direction ofmaterial flow through a process. In addition, relative placement andmovement of material can be described as flowing in the machinedirection through a process from upstream in the process to downstreamin the process.

“Cross direction” (CD) is used herein to refer to a direction that isgenerally perpendicular to the machine direction.

“Taped diaper” (also referred to as “open diaper”) refers to disposableabsorbent articles having an initial front waist region and an initialback waist region that are not fastened, pre-fastened, or connected toeach other as packaged, prior to being applied to the wearer. A tapeddiaper may be folded about the lateral centerline with the interior ofone waist region in surface to surface contact with the interior of theopposing waist region without fastening or joining the waist regionstogether. Example taped diapers are disclosed in various suitableconfigurations U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,167,897, 5,360,420, 5,599,335,5,643,588, 5,674,216, 5,702,551, 5,968,025, 6,107,537, 6,118,041,6,153,209, 6,410,129, 6,426,444, 6,586,652, 6,627,787, 6,617,016,6,825,393, and 6,861,571; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2013/0072887A1; 2013/0211356 A1; and 2013/0306226 A1.

“Pant” (also referred to as “training pant”, “pre-closed diaper”,“diaper pant”, “pant diaper”, and “pull-on diaper”) refers herein todisposable absorbent articles having a continuous perimeter waistopening and continuous perimeter leg openings designed for infant oradult wearers. A pant can be configured with a continuous or closedwaist opening and at least one continuous, closed, leg opening prior tothe article being applied to the wearer. A pant can be pre-formed orpre-fastened by various techniques including, but not limited to,joining together portions of the article using any refastenable and/orpermanent closure member (e.g., seams, heat bonds, pressure welds,adhesives, cohesive bonds, mechanical fasteners, etc.). A pant can bepre-formed anywhere along the circumference of the article in the waistregion (e.g., side fastened or seamed, front waist fastened or seamed,rear waist fastened or seamed). Example diaper pants in variousconfigurations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,940,464; 5,092,861;5,246,433; 5,569,234; 5,897,545; 5,957,908; 6,120,487; 6,120,489;7,569,039 and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2003/0233082 A1; 2005/0107764A1, 2012/0061016 A1, 2012/0061015 A1; 2013/0255861 A1; 2013/0255862 A1;2013/0255863 A1; 2013/0255864 A1; and 2013/0255865 A1, all of which areincorporated by reference herein.

“Closed-form” means opposing waist regions are joined, as packaged,either permanently or refastenably to form a continuous waist openingand leg openings.

“Open-form” means opposing waist regions are not initially joined toform a continuous waist opening and leg openings but comprise a closuremeans such as a fastening system to join the waist regions to form thewaist and leg openings before or during application to a wearer of thearticle.

“Channel,” as used herein, is a region or zone in an absorbent materiallayer that has a substantially lower basis weight (e.g., less than 50%,less than 70%, less than 90%) than the surrounding material in thematerial layer. The channel may be a region in a material layer that issubstantially absorbent material-free (e.g., 90% absorbentmaterial-free, 95% absorbent material-free, or 99% absorbentmaterial-free, or completely absorbent material-free). A channel mayextend through one or more absorbent material layers. The channelgenerally has a lower bending modulus than the surrounding regions ofthe absorbent material layer, enabling the material layer to bend moreeasily and/or rapidly distribute more bodily exudates within the channelthan in the surrounding areas of the absorbent material layer. Thus, achannel is not merely an indentation in the material layer that does notcreate a reduced basis weight in the material layer in the area of thechannel.

“Relaxed Product Waist Width” means the lateral distance from the distalmost point at the right side of the front waist edge to the distal mostpoint at the left side of the front waist edge. The lateral distance ismeasured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer toFIG. 2.

“Relaxed Product Hip Width” means the lateral distance from thelaterally distal most point of the left side edge of the product at theupper edge of the left leg opening to the laterally distal most point ofthe right side edge of the product at the upper edge of the right legopening. Refer to FIG. 2. The lateral distance is measured perpendicularto the longitudinal axis of the product.

“Relaxed Product Crotch Width” means the lateral distance from thedistal most point at the right side of the bottom edge to the distalmost point at the left side of the bottom edge. The lateral distance ismeasured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer toFIG. 2.

“Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette” means Relaxed Product Hip Width (601)(mm) divided by the Relaxed Product Waist Width (602) (mm). See FIG. 2.

“Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette” means Relaxed Product Waist Width(602) (mm) divided by the Relaxed Product Crotch Width (608) (mm). SeeFIG. 2.

Absorbent Articles of the Present Disclosure

Products comprising elastomeric laminates of the present disclosure maycomprise absorbent articles 100 of differing structure and/or form thatare generally designed and configured to manage bodily exudates such asurine, menses, and/or feces, such as disposable taped and pants,including baby and adult disposable absorbent articles.

As shown in the figures, the absorbent articles 100 of the presentdisclosure may comprise a chassis 200 comprising a topsheet 124, abacksheet 125, and an absorbent core 128 disposed at least partiallybetween the topsheet 124 and the backsheet 125. The chassis 200 mayfurther comprise an inner leg cuff 150 and an outer leg cuff 140 (thecuffs generally referred to as 52).

One end portion of an absorbent article 100 may be configured as a frontwaist region 36 and the longitudinally opposing end portion may beconfigured as a back waist region 38. An intermediate portion of theabsorbent article 100 extending longitudinally between the front waistregion 36 and the back waist region 38 may be configured as a crotchregion 37. The length of each of the front waist region 36, the backwaist region 38 and the crotch region 37 may be about ⅓ of the length ofthe absorbent article 100, for example (see, for example, FIGS. 9 and10). Alternatively, the length of each of the front waist region 36, theback waist region 38, and the crotch region 37 may have other dimensions(e.g., defined by the belt or ear panel or side panel dimensions—see,for example, FIGS. 3B, 4, and 7). The absorbent article 100 may have alaterally extending front waist end edge 136 in the front waist region36 and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist endedge 138 in the back waist region 38.

The chassis 200 of the absorbent article 100 may comprise a firstlongitudinally extending side edge 237 a and a laterally opposing andsecond longitudinally extending side edge 237 b. Both of the side edges237 may extend longitudinally between the front waist end edge 136 andthe back waist end edge 138. The chassis 200 may form a portion of thelaterally extending front waist end edge 136 in the front waist region36 and a portion of the longitudinally opposing and laterally extendingback waist end edge 138 in the back waist region 38. Furthermore, thechassis 200 may comprise a chassis interior surface 202 (forming atleast a portion of the wearer-facing surface 4), a chassis exteriorsurface 204 (forming at least a portion of the garment-facing surface2), a longitudinal axis 42, and a lateral axis 44. The longitudinal axis42 may extend through a midpoint of the front waist end edge 136 andthrough a midpoint of the back waist end edge 138, while the lateralaxis 44 may extend through a midpoint of the first side edge 237 a andthrough a midpoint of the second side edge 237 b. Referring to FIG. 7,often true for belted absorbent articles, the chassis 200 may have alength measured along the longitudinal axis 42 that is less than thelength of the absorbent article 100. Both of the side edges 237 of thechassis 200 may not extend longitudinally to one or both of the frontwaist end edge 136 and the back waist end edge 138. The chassis 200 maynot form a portion of one or both of the laterally extending front waistend edge 136 in the front waist region 36 and the longitudinallyopposing and laterally extending back waist end edge 138 in the backwaist region 38.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the chassis 200 may comprise a plurality ofelastics 316 are oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis 42 betweenthe backsheet nonwoven 127 and backsheet film 126. FIG. 7C shows analternate embodiment than FIG. 7B, where the chassis 200 has a pluralityof elastics 316 oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis 42 betweenthe core wrap 74 and the backsheet 125. Still further, FIG. 7D showsanother alternative embodiment where the chassis 200 comprises aplurality of elastics 316 oriented parallel with the lateral axis 44between the backsheet film 126 and the backsheet nonwoven 127. FIG. 7Balso shows a plurality of elastics 316 oriented parallel with thelongitudinal axis 42 between a first topsheet layer 124 a and a secondtopsheet layer 124 b, whereas FIG. 7C shows an alternate embodimentwhere the plurality of elastics 316 are between the topsheet 124 and thecore wrap 74. Still further, FIG. 7D shows a plurality of elastics 316oriented parallel with the lateral axis 44 between the topsheet 124 andthe core wrap 74.

Still regarding an elasticized chassis 200, FIGS. 12A, B, and C show anelasticized chassis 200, where a plurality of elastics 316 are disposedbetween layers of the wings 120. FIG. 12 shows a plurality of elastics316 oriented at about 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 42and the lateral axis 44. FIG. 12A is an alternate embodiment of FIG. 12,showing the plurality of elastics 316 oriented parallel with thelongitudinal axis 42. FIG. 12B shows two layers of elastics 316 in thewings 120, both oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis 42, thelower layer of elastics 316 being spaced with gaps between groupings,and separated by a nonwoven wing layer 121. FIG. 12C is an alternateembodiment of FIG. 12B, where there is only one layer of elastics and nononwoven wing layer 121. FIG. 12C also shows a plurality of elastics 316oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis 42 between the topsheet 124and secondary topsheet 124′ (which may alternatively be orientedparallel with the lateral axis 44—not shown), and a plurality ofelastics 316 oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis 42 between thebacksheet film 126 and the backsheet nonwoven 127 (which mayalternatively be oriented parallel with the lateral axis 44—not shown).

A portion or the entirety of the absorbent article 100 may be made to belaterally elastically extensible. The extensibility of the absorbentarticle 100 may be desirable in order to allow the absorbent article 100to conform to a body of a wearer during movement by the wearer. Theextensibility may also be desirable, for example, in order to allow thecaregiver to extend the front waist region 36, the back waist region 38,the crotch region 37, and/or the chassis 200 to provide additional bodycoverage for wearers of differing size, i.e., to tailor the fit of theabsorbent article 100 to the individual wearer and to aide in ease ofapplication. Such extension may provide the absorbent article 100 with agenerally hourglass shape, so long as the crotch region 37 is extendedto a relatively lesser degree than the waist regions 36 and/or 38. Thisextension may also impart a tailored appearance to the absorbent article100 during use.

The chassis 200 may be substantially rectangular and may have discreteside panels 330 (FIG. 3B), extensible ear panels 530 (FIG. 9) and/ornon-extensible ear panels 540 (FIG. 9) joined to the chassis 200 at oradjacent the chassis side edges 237 in one or both of the front waistregion 36 and back waist region 38. Portions of one or more of thechassis side edges 237, the chassis front end edge 236 and the chassisback end edge 238 may be arcuate or curved either convexly or concavelyas shown in FIGS. 11, 11A, and 10. The chassis 200 may comprise integralside panels 330 (see FIG. 4), integral extensible ear panels (see FIG.10), integral belts 430 (see FIG. 8) or integral non-extensible earpanels 540 formed by one or more of the outer cover nonwoven, backsheetfilm, outer leg cuff material, topsheet or core wrap 74 disposed in oneor both of the front and back waist regions (FIG. 9). Alternatively, thechassis 200 may comprise discrete side panels 330 (see FIG. 3B),discrete extensible ear panels 530 (see FIGS. 9, 9A, and 10), ordiscrete belts 430 (FIGS. 5-7D). The chassis may be shaped ornon-rectangular, in one waist region and substantially rectangular inthe opposing waist region. Alternatively, the chassis may besubstantially rectangular in one or both of the waist regions andnon-rectangular in the crotch region.

Absorbent articles of the present disclosure may comprise a plurality oflaterally extending elastics wherein the elastics are present in a firstwaist region, the crotch region and in the opposing second waist region.

Closed-Form Pant Article

Closed-form, pant-style, absorbent articles are generally disclosed inFIGS. 3-8, and are designed to be packaged in closed-form having a waistopening 190 and two leg openings 192, and designed to be donned onto thewearer like a pair of durable underwear. The pant may comprise discreteelastomeric side panels 330 (FIG. 3B) and/or discrete belts 430 (FIG. 7)in one or both of the front waist region 36 and back waist region 38.Alternatively, the side panels 330 and/or belts 430 may be formedintegrally with other elements of the article such as the chassis 200(FIGS. 4 and 8).

When the absorbent article comprises front and back belts 430, the sidesof front and back belts 430 may be joined permanently or refastenably toeach other and the front and back side panels on one side of the articlemay be joined permanently or refastenably to each other to create awaist opening 190 and a pair of leg openings 192 (FIGS. 5, 5A, and 6).The belts 430 provide an elastically extensible feature that provides amore comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting thearticle 100 to the wearer and sustaining this fit throughout the time ofwear well past when the pant has been loaded with exudates since theelastomeric side panels allow the sides of the pant to expand andcontract. Further, the elastomeric belts 430 provide ease of applicationand develop and maintain wearing forces and tensions to maintain thearticle 100 on the wearer and enhance the fit, especially when beamedelastomeric laminates are used to form the belts 430. The elastomericside panels enable ease of application allowing the pant to be pulledconformably over the hips of the wearer and positioned at the waistwhere the belts 430 conform to the body and provide tension sufficientto maintain the articles position on the wearer. The tension created bythe belts 430 is transmitted from the elastic belts 430 along the waistopening 190 and along at least a portion of the leg opening 192.Typically, particularly regarding discrete side panels 330, the chassis200 is disposed between the side panels 330 and extends to form aportion of the waist edge 136 and/or 138 of the pant comprising sidepanels 330. In other words, a portion of the waist edge 136 and/or 138in one or both of the front waist region 36 and back waist region 38 maybe formed in part by the side panels 330 and in part by the chassis 200.

The pant comprising side panels 330 may also comprise a pair oflaterally opposing refastenable seams 174 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and3A. The refastenable side seam 174 may be formed by refastenably joiningan interior surface of a portion of the article, e.g. a side panel 330,to an exterior surface of another portion of the article 100, e.g., alongitudinally opposing side panel 330 or the chassis 200 to form therefastenable side seam 174. FIG. 3A illustrates a front side panel 330 fcomprising a fastener 175 comprising hooks facing away from a wearer(the fastener 175 disposed on an exterior surface of the front sidepanel 330 f) that refastenably attaches to a mating fastener 178 (loopsor a suitable nonwoven in FIG. 3A), the mating fastener 178 beingdisposed on an interior surface of the back side panel 330 b. Observethat that FIG. 3A is an alternative embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 3B as thepant of FIGS. 3 and 3B do not comprise a mating fastener 178—rather, thefastener 175 in FIGS. 3 and 3B refastenably join directly to the backside panels 330.

The pant comprising belts 430 may also comprise a first permanent sideseam 172 and a laterally opposing second permanent side seam 172 asillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5, 5A, and 6. The permanent side seam172 may be formed by joining an interior surface of a portion of thearticle 100, e.g. a belt 430, to an exterior surface of another portionof the article 100, e.g. a longitudinally opposing belt 430 or thechassis 200 to form the permanent side seam 172. Alternatively, thepermanent side seam 172 may be formed by joining an interior surface ofa portion of the article 100, e.g. a belt 430, to an interior surface ofanother portion of the article 100, e.g. a longitudinally opposing belt430 to form the permanent side seam 172. Any pants comprising sidepanels 330 configurations described above may comprise a waistband 122wherein at least a portion of the waistband 122 (as illustrated in FIG.3B) is disposed at or immediately adjacent the waist edge 136 and/or 138and overlaps a portion of the center chassis 200. The waistband 122 mayextend laterally to overlap portions of the inner leg cuffs 150 and/orportions of the elastomeric side panels 330. The waistband 122 may bedisposed on the interior surface 202 of the chassis 200 or alternativelybetween the topsheet 124 and the backsheet 125.

Particularly regarding belts 430, as illustrated in FIG. 7E, the innerbelt layer 432 and/or the outer belt layer 434 of the first and secondelastomeric belts 430 may be formed by a common belt layer as shown inFIG. 7E. When the first and second elastomeric belts 430 have a commonbelt layer, the common belt layer may extend from a first waist edge ina first waist region to a longitudinally opposing second waist edge in asecond waist region, i.e. front waist edge 136 to back waist edge 138.

Also particularly regarding belted pants 400, as illustrated in FIGS. 7and 7A, the belt pant 400 may have a first elastomeric belt 430 disposedin a first waist region having a first longitudinal length and a secondelastomeric belt 430 disposed in a second waist region having a secondlongitudinal length wherein the longitudinal length of the first belt isgreater than the longitudinal length of the second belt along the sideedge of the belt at or adjacent the side seam. This length differencehelps provide buttock coverage in the back of the pant providing a moreunderwear-like appearance. And, while this advantage is disclosed forbelted pants 400, there is also an advantage in having longitudinallylonger side panels 330 in the back waist region 38.

Open-Form Taped Article

Open-form, taped-style, absorbent articles are generally disclosed inFIGS. 9-10. The taped diaper 500, open-form article, as illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10 may comprise elastomeric ear panels 530 in one or both ofthe front waist region 36 and back waist region 38. The elastomeric earpanels 530 may be unitary structurally with other elements of thearticle 100 or as a separate element joined to another element of thearticle 100. The elastomeric ear panels 530 provide an elasticallyextensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fitby initially conformably fitting the article 100 to the wearer andsustaining this fit throughout the time of wear well past when the tapeddiaper 500 has been loaded with exudates since the elastomeric earpanels 530 allows the diaper to expand and contract to fit the wearer.Further, the elastomeric ear panels 530 develop and maintain wearingforces (tensions) and enhance the tensions developed and maintained bythe fastening system 179 (including the fasteners 175 (e.g., hooks) thatmay be releasably engaged with a mating fasteners 178 (e.g., loops)), tomaintain the article 100 on the wearer and enhance the fit. Theelastomeric ear panels 530 especially assist in maintaining the primaryline of tension formed by the fastening system 179 allowing the diaperto conformably fit over the hips of the wearer where there is dynamicmotion, and initially pre-tensioning the waist opening 190 and legopening 192 since the diaperer typically stretches the elastomeric earpanels 530 when applying the taped diaper 500 on the wearer so that whenthe elastomeric ear panels 530 contract, tension is transmitted from theelastomeric ear panels 530 along the waist opening 190 and along atleast a portion of the leg opening 192. While the open-form article ofthe present disclosure may have the elastomeric ear panels 530 disposedin the back waist region 38, alternatively, the taped diaper 500 may beprovided with elastomeric ear panels 530 disposed in the front waistregion 36 or in both the front waist region 36 and the back waist region38. The open-form article may also have elastomeric ear panels 530disposed in a first waist region and elastomeric ear panels 530 ornon-elastomeric ear panels 540 disposed in a second waist region.

In an alternative embodiment the open-form, taped-style, absorbentarticles may comprise an elastomeric belt 430 disposed in one of thewaist regions. The elastomeric belt 430 may be joined and/or positionedin a particular place or position and may be unitary structurally withother elements of the article 100 or as a separate element joined toanother element of the article 100. A belted taped diaper theelastomeric belt 430 may be disposed in the back waist region 38. Theelastomeric belt 430 may have fasteners disposed at or adjacent thelaterally opposing ends of the belt. Fasteners 175 may be disposed onthe interior surface of the belt 430 to engage with a discrete matingfastening component 178 or with the exterior surface 204 of the article(like the backsheet nonwoven 127) to fasten the article on the wearer.

Outer Cover Material

The backsheet 125 may comprise a backsheet film 126 and backsheetnonwoven 127. The backsheet nonwoven 127 may also be referred to as theouter cover material. The outer cover material forms at least a portionof the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article 100 andeffectively “covers” the backsheet film 126 so that the film is notpresent on the garment-facing surface. The outer cover material maycomprise a bond pattern, apertures, and/or three-dimensional features.

Absorbent Core

As used herein, the term “absorbent core” 128 refers to the component ofthe absorbent article 100 having the most absorbent capacity and thatcomprises an absorbent material. Referring to FIGS. 7, 7B, and 7C, insome instances, absorbent material (e.g., 51 and 53) may be positionedwithin a core bag or a core wrap 74. The absorbent material may beprofiled or not profiled, depending on the specific absorbent article.The absorbent core 128 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consistof, a core wrap, absorbent material, and glue enclosed within the corewrap. The absorbent material may comprise superabsorbent polymers, amixture of superabsorbent polymers and air felt, only air felt, and/or afoam. In some instances, the absorbent material may comprise at least80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or up to100% superabsorbent polymers, by weight of the absorbent material. Insuch instances, the absorbent material may free of air felt, or at leastmostly free of air felt—in such cases the AGM 51 may be held in place byan adhesive 54, such as a thermoplastic adhesive. And, for swim diapers,the article may be free of superabsorbent polymers. The absorbent coreperiphery, which may be the periphery of the core wrap, may define anysuitable shape, such as rectangular, “T,” “Y,” “hour-glass,” or“dog-bone” shaped, for example. An absorbent core periphery having agenerally “dog bone” or “hour-glass” shape may taper along its widthtowards the crotch region 37 of the absorbent article 100.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 7B, and 7C, the absorbent core 128 may have areashaving little or no absorbent material, where a wearer-facing surface ofthe core bag 74 may be joined to a garment-facing surface of the corebag 74. These areas having little or no absorbent material may bereferred to as “channels” 129. These channels can embody any suitableshapes and any suitable number of channels may be provided. In otherinstances, the absorbent core may be embossed to create the impressionof channels. The absorbent core in FIGS. 7, 7B, and 7C is merely anexample absorbent core. Many other absorbent cores with or withoutchannels are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

As used herein, a loaded absorbent core is one holding (or capable ofholding) a load of at least 50, 100, or 200 milliliters (mls) fordiapers, pants, and adult incontinence articles. The disposableabsorbent articles of the present disclosure comprising an absorbentcore are designed to fit the wearer with an empty absorbent core (i.e.,one that is not loaded), as well as being capable of fitting the wearfor an appreciable time (2 or more hours) even when the core is loaded.

Acquisition Materials

One or more acquisition materials (e.g., 130) may be present at leastpartially intermediate the topsheet 124 and the absorbent core 128. Theacquisition materials are typically hydrophilic materials that providesignificant wicking of bodily exudates. These materials may dewater thetopsheet 124 and quickly move bodily exudates into the absorbent core128. The acquisition materials 130 may comprise one or more nonwovenmaterials, foams, cellulosic materials, cross-linked cellulosicmaterials, air laid cellulosic nonwoven materials, spunlace materials,or combinations thereof, for example. In some instances, portions of theacquisition materials may extend through portions of the topsheet 124,portions of the topsheet 124 may extend through portions of theacquisition materials, and/or the topsheet 124 may be nested with theacquisition materials. Typically, an acquisition material or layer mayhave a width and length that are smaller than the width and length ofthe topsheet 124. The acquisition material may be a secondary topsheetin the feminine pad context. The acquisition material may have one ormore channels as described in the absorbent core 128 section (includingthe embossed version). The channels in the acquisition material mayalign or not align with channels in the absorbent core 128. In anexample, a first acquisition material may comprise a nonwoven materialand as second acquisition material may comprise a cross-linkedcellulosic material.

Landing Zone

Referring to FIG. 9A, the absorbent article 100 may have a landing zonearea 45 that is formed in a portion of the garment-facing surface 2 ofthe outer cover material. The landing zone area 45 may be in the backwaist region 38 if the absorbent article 100 fastens from front to backor may be in the front waist region 36 if the absorbent article 100fastens back to front. In some instances, the landing zone 45 may be ormay comprise one or more discrete nonwoven materials that are attachedto a portion of the outer cover material in the front waist region 36 orthe back waist region 38 depending upon whether the absorbent articlefastens in the front or the back. In essence, the landing zone 45 isconfigured to receive the fasteners 175 and may comprise, for example, aplurality of loops configured to be engaged with, a plurality of hookson the fasteners 175, or vice versa.

Wetness Indicator/Graphics

The absorbent articles 100 of the present disclosure may comprisegraphics (e.g., a chassis graphic 299, a side panel graphic 399, a beltgraphic 499, or an ear panel graphic 599) and/or wetness indicators 80that are visible from the garment-facing surface 2. The graphics may beprinted on the landing zone 45, the backsheet 125, topsheet 124, belts430, side panels 330, ear panels 530 and/or at other locations. Thewetness indicators are typically applied to the absorbent core facingside of the backsheet film 126, so that they can be contacted by bodilyexudates within the absorbent core 128. In some instances, the wetnessindicators may form portions of the graphics e.g., 299. For example, awetness indicator may appear or disappear and create/remove a characterwithin some graphics. In other instances, the wetness indicators 80 maycoordinate (e.g., same design, same pattern, same color) or notcoordinate with the graphics. Alternatively, graphics and/or wetnessindicators 80 may be disposed on, and/or visible from, the wearer-facingsurface 204.

One or more of the side/ear panels 330, 530 may comprise a graphicdisposed thereon. One or more of the elastomeric side/ear panels 330,530 comprise a graphic (e.g., 399, 599) substantially aligned to achassis graphic 299 to form a composite graphic element. Further, thefront and back belts 430 f and 430 b may comprise graphics. The graphicsmay extend substantially around the entire circumference of theabsorbent article 100 and may be disposed across side seams 172 and/oracross proximal front and back belt edges 15 (see FIG. 5); or,alternatively, adjacent to the seams in the manner described in U.S.Pat. No. 9,498,389 to create a more underwear-like article. The graphicsmay also be discontinuous.

Topsheets

The absorbent articles 100 of the present disclosure may comprise atopsheet 124. The topsheet 124 is the part of the absorbent article 100that is in contact with the wearer's skin. The topsheet 124 may bejoined to portions of the backsheet 125, the absorbent core 128, the legcuffs 52, and/or any other layers as is known to those of ordinary skillin the art. The topsheet 124 may be compliant, soft-feeling, andnon-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of, orall of, the topsheet may be liquid permeable, permitting liquid bodilyexudates to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheetmay be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porousfoams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, woven materials,nonwoven materials, woven or nonwoven materials of natural fibers (e.g.,wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers or filaments (e.g., polyesteror polypropylene or bicomponent PE/PP fibers or mixtures thereof), or acombination of natural and synthetic fibers. The topsheet may have oneor more layers. The topsheet may be apertured, may have any suitablethree-dimensional features, and/or may have a plurality of embossments(e.g., a bond pattern). The topsheet may be apertured by overbonding amaterial and then rupturing the overbonds through ring rolling, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,097, to Benson et al., issued on May13, 1997 and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Appl. Publication No. US2016/0136014 to Arora et al. Any portion of the topsheet may be coatedwith a skin care composition, an antibacterial agent, a surfactant,and/or other beneficial agents. The topsheet may be hydrophilic orhydrophobic or may have hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic portions orlayers. If the topsheet is hydrophobic, typically apertures will bepresent so that bodily exudates may pass through the topsheet.

Backsheets

The absorbent article 100 of the present disclosure may comprise abacksheet 125. The backsheet 125 is generally that portion of theabsorbent article 100 positioned proximate to the garment-facing surfaceof the absorbent core 128. The backsheet 125 may be joined to portionsof the topsheet 124, the backsheet nonwoven 127, the absorbent core 128,and/or any other layers of the absorbent article by any attachmentmethods known to those of skill in the art. The backsheet film 126prevents, or at least inhibits, the bodily exudates absorbed andcontained in the absorbent core 128 from soiling articles such asbedsheets, undergarments, and/or clothing. The backsheet is typicallyliquid impermeable, or at least substantially liquid impermeable. Thebacksheet may, for example, be or comprise a thin plastic film, such asa thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051mm. Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathable materialswhich permit vapors to escape from the absorbent article, while stillpreventing, or at least inhibiting, bodily exudates from passing throughthe backsheet.

Leg Cuffs

The absorbent articles 100 of the present disclosure may comprise legcuffs 52, which include inner leg cuffs 150 and outer leg cuffs 140. Theinner leg cuffs 150 may be positioned laterally inboard of outer legcuffs 140. Each of the leg cuffs 52 may be formed by a piece of materialwhich is bonded to the absorbent article 100 so it can extend upwardsfrom a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article 100 and provideimproved containment of body exudates approximately at the junction ofthe torso and legs of the wearer. The inner leg cuffs 150 are delimitedby an edge joined directly or indirectly to (or formed by) the topsheetand/or the backsheet and a free terminal edge, which is intended tocontact and form a seal with the wearer's skin. The inner leg cuffs 150may extend longitudinally at least partially (or fully) between thefront end edge 136 and the back end edge 138 of the absorbent article100 on opposite sides of the chassis and may be at least present in thecrotch region 37. The inner leg cuffs 150 may each comprise one or moreelastics 316 (e.g., elastic strands or strips) near or at the freeterminal edge. These elastics 316 cause the inner leg cuffs 150 to helpform a seal around the legs and torso of a wearer. The outer leg cuffs140 extend at least partially between the front end edge 136 and theback end edge 138. The outer leg cuffs 140 essentially cause portions ofthe absorbent article 100 proximate to the chassis side edges 237 a and237 b to help form a seal around the legs of the wearer. The outer legcuffs 140 may extend at least within the crotch region 37.

Waistbands/Waistcaps

The absorbent articles 100 of the present disclosure may comprise one ormore elastic waistbands 122. The elastic waistbands 122 may bepositioned on the garment-facing surface or the wearer-facing surface,or may be formed therebetween. As an example, a first elastic waistband122 may be present in the front waist region 36 near the front waistedge 136 and a second elastic waistband 122 may be present in the backwaist region 38 near the back waist edge 138. The elastic waistbands 122may aid in sealing the absorbent article 100 around a waist of a wearerand at least inhibiting bodily exudates from escaping the absorbentarticle 100 through the waist opening circumference. In some instances,an elastic waistband may fully surround the waist opening 190 of theabsorbent article 100. A waist cap 123 may be formed by an extension ofthe waistband 122 and may remain unattached to the underlying structurein the central portion of the waist cap 123 to allow bodily exudatesthat flow along the topsheet 124 to be trapped between the topsheet 124and the underside of the waist cap 123. In other words, the waist cap123 may be joined to the underlying structure, e.g., center chassis 200of the absorbent article 100 along the longitudinally distal edge of thewaist cap 123 and/or along the laterally opposing side edges of thewaist cap 123.

Belts

Beyond what was disclosed about belts in the OPEN-FORM TAPED ARTICLE andCLOSED-FORM PANT ARTICLE Sections above, the front and back belts 430 fand 430 b may comprise front and back inner belt layers 432 and frontand back outer belt layers 434 having an elastomeric material (e.g., aplurality of elastics 316 or a film (which may be apertured)) disposedat least partially therebetween. The plurality of elastics 316 or thefilm may be relaxed (including being cut) to reduce elastic strain overthe absorbent core 128 or, may alternatively, run continuously acrossthe absorbent core 128. The plurality of elastics 316 may have uniformor variable spacing therebetween in any portion of the belts. Theplurality of elastics 316 may also be pre-strained the same amount ordifferent amounts. The front and/or back belts 430 f and 430 b may haveone or more elastics free zones where the chassis 200 overlaps the belts430 f and 430 b. In other instances, at least some of the plurality ofelastics 316 may extend continuously across the chassis 200.

The front and back inner belt layers 432 and the front and back outerbelt layers 434 may be joined using adhesives, heat bonds, pressurebonds, ultrasonic, or thermoplastic bonds. Various suitable belt layerconfigurations can be found in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2013/0211363.

Front and back belt end edges 438 f and 438 b may extend longitudinallybeyond the front and back chassis end edges 236 and 238 or they may beco-terminus. The front and back belt side edges 437 may extend laterallybeyond the chassis side edges 237 a and 237 b. The front and back belts430 f and 430 b may be continuous (i.e., having at least one layer thatis continuous (see 434 in FIG. 7E) from belt end edge 438 f to theopposite belt end edge 438 b). Alternatively, the front and back belts430 f and 430 b may be discontinuous from belt end edge 438 f to theopposite belt end edge 438 b (see 432 and 434 in FIG. 7D), such thatthey are discrete.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,901,393, the longitudinal length (alongthe central longitudinal axis 42) of the back belt 430 b may be greaterthan the longitudinal length of the front belt 430 f, and this may beparticularly useful for increased buttocks coverage when the back belt430 b has a greater longitudinal length versus the front belt 430 fadjacent to or immediately adjacent to the side seams 172.Alternatively, the bottom corners of the longer back belt may be trimmedin diagonal lines or curves.

The front and back belts 430 f and 430 b may include slits, holes,and/or perforations providing increased breathability, softness, and agarment-like texture. Underwear-like appearance can be enhanced bysubstantially aligning the waist and leg edges at the side seams 172.

Arrays

“Array” means a display of packages comprising disposable absorbentarticles of different article constructions (e.g., different elastomericmaterials [compositionally and/or structurally] in the side panels, sideflaps and/or belts flaps, different graphic elements, different productstructures, fasteners or lack thereof, sizes, core capacities, etc.).The packages may have the same brand and/or sub-brand and/or the sametrademark registration and/or having been manufactured by or for acommon manufacturer and the packages may be available at a common pointof sale (e.g. oriented in proximity to each other in a given area of aretail store). An array is marketed as a line-up of products normallyhaving like packaging elements (e.g., packaging material type, film,paper, dominant color, design theme, etc.) that convey to consumers thatthe different individual packages are part of a larger line-up. Arraysoften have the same brand, for example, “Huggies,” and same sub-brand,for example, “Pull-Ups.” A different product in the array may have thesame brand “Huggies” and the sub-brand “Little Movers.” The differencesbetween the “Pull-Ups” product of the array and the “Little Movers”product in the array may include product form, application style,different fastening designs or other structural elements intended toaddress the differences in physiological or psychological development.Furthermore, the packaging is distinctly different in that “Pull-Ups” ispackaged in a predominately blue or pink film bag and “Little Movers” ispackaged in a predominately red film bag.

Further regarding “Arrays,” as another example an array may be formed bydifferent products having different product forms manufactured by thesame manufacturer, for example, “Kimberly-Clark”, and bearing a commontrademark registration for example, one product may have the brand name“Huggies,” and sub-brand, for example, “Pull-Ups.” A different productin the array may have a brand/sub-brand “Good Nites” and both areregistered trademarks of The Kimberly-Clark Corporation and/or aremanufactured by Kimberly-Clark. Arrays also often have the sametrademarks, including trademarks of the brand, sub-brand, and/orfeatures and/or benefits across the line-up. “On-line Array” means an“Array” distributed by a common on-line source.

Transverse Barrier

As shown in FIG. 13, the transverse barrier 16 may extend parallel withthe lateral axis 44 and may be joined via bonds 13 to the cuffs 150 andjoined by bonds 14 to the topsheet 124 such that the transverse barrierextends in a Z direction away from the topsheet when the article (e.g.,500) is opened and worn. More particularly, the transverse barrier 16may extend in a Z direction due in part to the cuffs standing upward inthe Z direction as the article is opened for wear. The transversebarrier 16 may prevent fecal matter from migrating into the front waistregion 36. Thus, the transverse barrier 16 may be oriented proximate towhere the front waist region 36 and crotch region 37 meet, or may bedisposed between the juncture of where the front waist region 36 and thecrotch region 37 meet and the lateral axis 44. Offsetting the bondlocations 13 and 14 will influence the angle of the transverse barrier16 relative to the topsheet 124. The bond locations 13 and 14 may beoriented such that the transvers barrier extends in a Z direction thatis approximately 90 degrees from the surface of the topsheet 124.

Feminine Hygiene Article

Referring to FIGS. 11-12C, absorbent articles of the present disclosuremay be a feminine hygiene article 801 also referred to as a sanitarynapkin, and includes feminine pads, and liners. The sanitary napkin 801may comprise a liquid permeable topsheet 124, a liquid impermeable, orsubstantially liquid impermeable, backsheet 125 and an absorbent core128. The liquid impermeable backsheet 125 may or may not be vaporpermeable. The absorbent core 128 may have any or all of the featuresdescribed herein with respect to the absorbent core 128 and, in someforms, may have a secondary topsheet 124′ (STS) instead of theacquisition materials disclosed above. The STS 124′ may comprise one ormore channels, as described above (including the embossed version). Insome forms, channels in the STS 124′ may be aligned with channels in theabsorbent core 128. The sanitary napkin 801 may also comprise wings 120extending outwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis 42 of thesanitary napkin 801. The sanitary napkin 801 may also comprise a lateralaxis 44. The wings 120 may be integral to TS, BS joined to the topsheet124, the backsheet 125, and/or the absorbent core 128.

Process

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 14A, a plurality of elastics 316 (from about10 strands to about 1500 strands having a decitex from about 10 to about500) unwind about a first axis of rotation 346 from a first beam 314(which is a first metering device 310) in the machine direction MD andtransfer the plurality of elastic strands 316 from the first beam 314(e.g., a warp beam) to a second metering device 312 (which includes afirst roller 324 having a second axis of rotation 328 and a secondroller 331 having a third axis of rotation 334, which form a nip 336).The plurality of elastic strands 316 may be stretched along the machinedirection MD between the first metering device 310 and the secondmetering device 312 to prestrain the plurality of elastics 316 (fromabout 50% to about 400%). The stretched elastic strands 316 may bejoined via an adhesive 350 from an adhesive applicator 349 (or theplurality of elastics 316 may be joined via other suitable means) with afirst substrate layer 306 and a second substrate layer 308 at the secondmetering device 312 to produce an elastomeric laminate 302, such thateach of the strands are spaced (in the CD) in the elastomeric laminatefrom about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm. It is this process that forms theelastomeric laminate 302 of the present disclosure and that may befurther incorporated into the various absorbent article components suchas the belts, ear panels, side panels, transverse barriers, topsheets,backsheets, cuffs, waistbands, waistcaps, and/or chassis to offer thebenefits described in this patent application. Further details of theprocess of creating beamed elastomeric laminate(s) for use in disposableabsorbent articles are disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 62/436,589, titled“METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MAKING ELASTOMERIC LAMINATES WITH ELASTICSTRANDS UNWOUND FROM BEAMS,” first-named inventor being Schneider, filedon Dec. 20, 2016. The elastomeric laminate 302 may be produced as partof the absorbent article manufacturing line, or may be produced offline,and unwound as an elastomeric laminate that is fed into the absorbentarticle manufacturing line.

Elastomeric Laminate(s) of the Present Disclosure

An “elastomeric laminate 302” of the present disclosure may comprise aplurality of elastics 316 between a first substrate 306 and a secondsubstrate layer 308, where the plurality of elastics 316 (often referredto as a “first plurality of elastics,” a “second plurality of elastics,”etc.) has an Average-Strand-Spacing from about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm, anAverage-Dtex from about 10 to about 500, and an Pressure-Under-Strandfrom about 0.1 to about 1 psi. Said elastomeric laminate 302 may be usedto form at least a portion of various absorbent article components. Whenthe elastomeric laminate 302 forms at least a portion of at least one ofthe group consisting of a belt, a chassis, a side panel, a topsheet, abacksheet, and an ear panel, and combinations thereof, the plurality ofelastics 316 of the elastomeric laminate 302 may comprise from about 40to about 1000 elastic strands. And, when the elastomeric laminate 302forms at least a portion of at least one of the group consisting of awaistband, a waistcap, an inner leg cuff, an outer leg cuff, and atransverse barrier, and combinations thereof, the first plurality ofelastics 316 of the elastomeric laminate 302 may comprise from about 10to about 400 elastic strands. Ultimately, “plurality of elastics” is aterm of context, where certain properties (e.g., Average-Dtex,Average-Strand-Spacing, Pressure-Under-Strand, etc.), arrangements,attributes, characteristics, disposition, etc. of the elastics arereferenced to define what a certain “plurality of elastics” is.

Further, the elastomeric laminate 302 may form at least a portion of oneor more of the group of article components including a belt 430, a sidepanel 330, chassis 200, a topsheet 124, backsheet 125, and an ear panel530, the elastomeric laminate 302 may comprise a plurality of elasticshaving from about 40 to about 1000 elastic strands with anAverage-Strand-Spacing from about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm, a Average-Dtexfrom about 10 to about 500, an Average-Pre-Strain from about 50% toabout 400%; and a first substrate 306 and a second substrate 308 eachhaving a basis weight from about 6 grams per square meter to about 30grams per square meter.

When the elastomeric laminate 302 may form at least a portion of one ormore of the group of article components including a belt 430, a sidepanel 330, chassis 200, a topsheet 124, backsheet 125, and an ear panel530, the elastomeric laminate 302 may comprise a plurality of elasticshaving from about 50 to about 825 elastic strands. Further, theplurality of elastics may comprise from about 100 to about 650 elasticstrands. Still further, the plurality of elastics may comprise fromabout 150 to about 475 elastic strands.

When the elastomeric laminate 302 may form at least a portion of one ormore of the group of article components including a belt 430, a sidepanel 330, chassis 200, a topsheet 124, backsheet 125, and an ear panel530, the elastomeric laminate 302 may comprise a plurality of elasticshaving an Average-Strand-Spacing from about 0.5 mm to about 3.5 mm.Further, the plurality of elastics may have an Average-Strand-Spacingfrom about 0.75 mm to about 2.5 mm.

When the elastomeric laminate 302 may form at least a portion of one ormore of the group of article components including a belt 430, a sidepanel 330, chassis 200, a topsheet 124, backsheet 125, and an ear panel530, the elastomeric laminate 302 may comprise a plurality of elasticshaving an Average-Dtex from about 30 to about 400. Further, theelastomeric laminate 302 may have an Average-Dtex of the plurality ofelastics from about 50 to about 250.

When the elastomeric laminate 302 may form at least a portion of one ormore of the group of article components including a belt 430, a sidepanel 330, chassis 200, a topsheet 124, backsheet 125, and an ear panel530, the elastomeric laminate 302 may comprise a plurality of elasticshaving an Average-Pre-Strain which may be from about 75% to about 300%.Further, the elastomeric laminate may comprise a plurality of elastics316 with an Average-Pre-Strain of from about 100% to about 250%

The elastomeric laminate 302 may form at least a portion of one or moreof the group of article components including a waistband 122, waistcap123, inner leg cuff 150, outer leg cuff 140 and a transverse barrier 16,and may comprise a plurality of elastics having from about 10 to about400 elastic strands with an Average-Strand-Spacing from about 0.25 mm toabout 4 mm, a decitex from about 10 to about 500, an Average-Pre-Strainfrom about 50% to about 400% and a first substrate 306 and/or secondsubstrate 308 each having a basis weight from about 6 grams per squaremeter to about 30 grams per square meter.

The elastomeric laminate 302 may form at least a portion of one or moreof the group of article components including a waistband 122, waistcap123, inner leg cuff 150, outer leg cuff 140 and a transverse barrier 16,and may comprise a plurality of elastics having from about 15 to about300 elastic strands. Further, the plurality of elastics may comprisefrom about 20 to about 225 elastic strands. Further, the plurality ofelastics may comprise from about 25 to about 150 elastic strands.

The elastomeric laminate 302 may form at least a portion of one or moreof the group of article components including a waistband 122, waistcap123, inner leg cuff 150, outer leg cuff 140 and a transverse barrier 16,and may comprise a plurality of elastics having anAverage-Strand-Spacing from about 0.5 mm to about 3.0 mm. Further, theplurality of elastics 316 may have an Average-Strand-Spacing from about0.75 mm to about 2.5 mm.

The elastomeric laminate 302 may form at least a portion of one or moreof the group of article components including a waistband 122, waistcap123, inner leg cuff 150, outer leg cuff 140 and a transverse barrier 16,and may comprise a plurality of elastics having an Average-Dtex fromabout 30 to about 400. Alternatively, the plurality of elastics 316 ofthe elastomeric laminate 302 may have an Average-Dtex from about 50 toabout 250.

The elastomeric laminate 302 may form at least a portion of one or moreof the group of article components including a waistband 122, waistcap123, inner leg cuff 150, outer leg cuff 140 and a transverse barrier 16,and may comprise a plurality of elastics having an Average-Pre-Strainfrom about 75% to about 300%. Alternatively, the elastomeric laminatemay comprise a plurality of elastics with an Average-Pre-Strain of fromabout 100% to about 250%.

Any one of the belt 430, side panel 330, ear panel 530, chassis 200,topsheet 124, backsheet 125, waistband 122, waistcap 123, inner leg cuff150, outer leg cuff 140 or transverse barrier may comprise anelastomeric laminate 302 comprising a plurality of elastics 316 havingan Pressure-Under-Strand from about 0.1 psi to about 1 psi, or fromabout 0.2 psi to about 0.8 psi.

An absorbent article of the present disclosure may have an elastomericlaminate 302 forming a portion of one or more of a belt 430, side panel330, ear panel 530, waistband 122, chassis 200, topsheet 124 andbacksheet 125. The elastomeric laminate 302 may comprise a plurality ofelastics having a specific elastic decitex, nonwoven type, nonwovenbasis weight, elastic spacing and elastic strain. And, the article maycomprise two or more absorbent article components (including a belt 430,side panel 330, ear panel 530, waistband 122, chassis 200, topsheet 124and backsheet 125) comprising an elastomeric laminate 302 having one ormore identical or substantially identical elastomeric laminate elements(including elastic decitex, nonwoven type, nonwoven basis weight,elastic spacing and elastic strain).

Beyond the beamed elastic strands 316 that may be used in each of theabsorbent article components, other elastic components such as elasticnonwovens, elastomeric films, elastomeric foams, elastomeric scrims, andelastomeric ribbons, or combinations thereof, may be used with thebeamed elastics 316.

The elastomeric laminate 302 may comprise a plurality of elastics 316that may be the same color as one or both of the first substrate layer306 and second substrate layer 308 so the elastic material may be morehidden, i.e. masked or may be of a different color so the elasticmaterial is visible in the elastomeric laminate 302. Furthermore, theplurality of elastic 316 may be transparent or translucent such that itis virtually invisible. Transparency or translucency combined with thevery low decitex of the elastic 316 may render the elastic 316 visiblyand tactilely unnoticeable by users of absorbent articles comprisingelastomeric laminate 302 comprising such elastics 316.

In one embodiment, an absorbent article 100 may comprise a chassis 200having a topsheet 124, a backsheet 125 and an absorbent core 128disposed between the topsheet 124 and the backsheet 125. The absorbentarticle 100 may also comprise a back belt 430B joined to the back waistregion 38 of the chassis 200 and extending outboard of the back waistregion 38 of the chassis 200. The article also comprising a front belt430F joined to the front waist region 36 of the chassis 200 andextending outboard of the front waist region 36 of the chassis 200. Thefront belt 430F may be joined to the back belt 430B at or adjacent thelaterally opposing belt side edges 437 to form leg openings 192 and awaist 190 opening to form a closed-form pant 400. The back belt 430Bhaving a first plurality of elastics 316 a comprising greater than about40 elastic strands and the front belt 430F having a second plurality ofelastics 316 b comprising greater than about 40 elastics strands. Thefirst plurality of elastics 316 a having an Average-Strand-Spacing ofless than about 4 mm. The second plurality of elastics 316 b having anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than about 4 mm. One or both of the firstplurality of elastics 316 a and second plurality of elastics 316 bhaving a portion that overlaps with the absorbent core 128. Theabsorbent article 100 having a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette fromabout 0.8 to about 1.1, alternatively from about 0.9 to about 1.0. Theabsorbent article 100 may have a Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette isfrom about 0.8 to about 2.0, alternatively from about 0.9 to about 1.5,in another embodiment the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette may be fromabout 1.2 to about 1.35. The absorbent article may also have a RelaxedProduct Waist Width from about 80 mm to about 270 mm, alternatively fromabout 170 mm to about 270 mm and in other embodiments from about 80 mmto about 180 mm. The absorbent article may also have a Relaxed ProductHip Width from about 80 mm to about 300 mm, alternatively from about 80mm to about 200 mm. The absorbent article may also have a RelaxedProduct length from about 200 mm to about 300 mm. The back belt 430B maybe divided into 4 equal sections, the first section, Section 1,including the distal most elastic, the fourth section, Section 4,including the proximal most elastic, the second section, Section 2, isdisposed adjacent the first section and the third section, Section 3, isdisposed between the second section and the fourth section, Section 4.The front belt 430F may also be divided into 4 equal sections, the firstsection, Section 1, including the distal most elastic, the fourthsection, Section 4, including the proximal most elastic, the secondsection, Section 2, is disposed adjacent the first section and the thirdsection, Section 3, is disposed between the second section and thefourth section, Section 4. One or more of the sections forming the frontbelt 430F may have a different Section-Modulus from the remainingsections of the front belt 430F. One or more of the sections forming theback belt 430B may have a different Section-Modulus from the remainingsections of the front belt 430B. Alternatively, one or more of thesections forming the front belt 430F may have a differentSection-Modulus from one or more of the sections forming the back belt430B. The back belt 430B and front belt 430F may both be formed at leastin part by an elastomeric laminate 302 comprising a first substratelayer 306 and a second substrate layer 308 and a plurality of elasticsdisposed between the first and second substrate layers 306 and 308. Oneor both of the first and second substrate 306 and 308 forming at least aportion of the back belt 430B and one or both of the first and secondsubstrate 306 and 308 forming at least a portion of the front belt 43Fare separate and spaced apart from each other. Alternatively, one orboth of the first and second substrate 306 and 308 forming at least aportion of the back belt 430B and one or both of the first and secondsubstrate 306 and 308 forming at least a portion of the front belt 43Fare continuous and extends from the first waist edge to thelongitudinally opposing second waist edge. The elastomeric laminate mayalso comprise an adhesive joining the first substrate layer 306 and/orsecond substrate layer 308 to the plurality of elastics 316. Theadhesive may be selected from the group consisting of Styrenic blockcopolymers, Polyolefins, Ethylene-vinyl Acetates, Polyurethanes,Ethylene-propylene copolymers, Propylene-ethylene copolymers, Polyolefinblock polymers, Polyolefin homo-polymers, Polyesters, Polyamides,Silicones, Cyanoacrylics, Acrylics, butyl rubber, and combinationsthereof. In certain embodiments, one of the sections in the front belt430F may comprise more elastics that one or more of the remainingsections of the front belt 430F and one of the sections in the back belt430B may comprise more elastics that one or more of the remainingsections of the back belt 430B. The front belt 430F may have at leastone section that comprises greater than 10 elastics and the back belt430B may have at least two sections that comprise greater than 10elastics. The front belt 430F may have at least two sections having anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than about 3 mm and the back belt 430Bmay have at least three sections having an Average-Strand-Spacing ofless than about 3 mm.

In another embodiment, an absorbent article 100 may comprise a chassis200 having a topsheet 124, a backsheet 125 and an absorbent core 128disposed between the topsheet 124 and the backsheet 125. The absorbentarticle 100 may also comprise a back belt 430B joined to the back waistregion 38 of the chassis 200 and extending outboard of the back waistregion 38 of the chassis 200. The article also comprising a front belt430F joined to the front waist region 36 of the chassis 200 andextending outboard of the front waist region 36 of the chassis 200. Thefront belt 430F may be joined to the back belt 430B at or adjacent thelaterally opposing belt side edges 437 to form leg openings 192 and awaist 190 opening to form a closed-form pant 400. The back belt 430Bhaving a first plurality of elastics 316 a comprising greater than about40 elastic strands and the front belt 430F having a second plurality ofelastics 316 b comprising greater than about 40 elastics strands. Thefirst plurality of elastics 316 a having an Average-Strand-Spacing ofless than about 4 mm. The second plurality of elastics 316 b having anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than about 4 mm. One or both of the firstplurality of elastics 316 a and second plurality of elastics 316 bhaving a portion that overlaps with the absorbent core 128. Theabsorbent article 100 having a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette fromabout 0.8 to about 1.1, alternatively from about 0.9 to about 1.1. Theabsorbent article 100 may have a Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette isfrom about 0.8 to about 2.8, alternatively from about 0.8 to about 2.5,in another embodiment the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette may be fromabout 0.8 to about 2.0. The absorbent article may also have a RelaxedProduct Waist Width from about 200 mm to about 400 mm alternatively fromabout 225 mm to about 375 mm and in other embodiments from about 250 mmto about 350 mm. The absorbent article may also have a Relaxed ProductHip Width from about 200 mm to about 450 mm, alternatively from about225 mm to about 425 mm, in other embodiments the Relaxed Product HipWidth may be from about 250 mm to about 400 mm. The absorbent articlemay also have a Relaxed Product length from about 250 mm to about 450mm, alternatively from about 275 to about 425, in yet another embodimentthe Relaxed Product Length may be from about 300 mm to about 400 mm. Theback belt 430B may be divided into 4 equal sections, the first section,Section 1, including the distal most elastic, the fourth section,Section 4, including the proximal most elastic, the second section,Section 2, is disposed adjacent the first section and the third section,Section 3, is disposed between the second section and the fourthsection, Section 4. The front belt 430F may also be divided into 4 equalsections, the first section, Section 1, including the distal mostelastic, the fourth section, Section 4, including the proximal mostelastic, the second section, Section 2, is disposed adjacent the firstsection and the third section, Section 3, is disposed between the secondsection and the fourth section, Section 4. One or more of the sectionsforming the front belt 430F may have a different Section-Modulus fromthe remaining sections of the front belt 430F. One or more of thesections forming the back belt 430B may have a different Section-Modulusfrom the remaining sections of the front belt 430B. Alternatively, oneor more of the sections forming the front belt 430F may have a differentSection-Modulus from one or more of the sections forming the back belt430B. The back belt 430B and front belt 430F may both be formed at leastin part by an elastomeric laminate 302 comprising a first substratelayer 306 and a second substrate layer 308 and a plurality of elasticsdisposed between the first and second substrate layers 306 and 308. Oneor both of the first and second substrate 306 and 308 forming at least aportion of the back belt 430B and one or both of the first and secondsubstrate 306 and 308 forming at least a portion of the front belt 43Fare separate and spaced apart from each other. Alternatively, one orboth of the first and second substrate 306 and 308 forming at least aportion of the back belt 430B and one or both of the first and secondsubstrate 306 and 308 forming at least a portion of the front belt 43Fare continuous and extends from the first waist edge to thelongitudinally opposing second waist edge. The elastomeric laminate mayalso comprise an adhesive joining the first substrate layer 306 and/orsecond substrate layer 308 to the plurality of elastics 316. Theadhesive may be selected from the group consisting of Styrenic blockcopolymers, Polyolefins, Ethylene-vinyl Acetates, Polyurethanes,Ethylene-propylene copolymers, Propylene-ethylene copolymers, Polyolefinblock polymers, Polyolefin homo-polymers, Polyesters, Polyamides,Silicones, Cyanoacrylics, Acrylics, butyl rubber, and combinationsthereof. In certain embodiments, one of the sections in the front belt430F may comprise more elastics that one or more of the remainingsections of the front belt 430F and one of the sections in the back belt430B may comprise more elastics that one or more of the remainingsections of the back belt 430B. The front belt 430F may have at leastone section that comprises greater than 20 elastics, alternativelygreater than 40 elastics and the back belt 430B may have at least twosections that comprise greater than 20 elastics, alternatively greaterthan 40 elastics. The front belt 430F may have at least two sectionshaving an Average-Strand-Spacing of less than about 3 mm and the backbelt 430B may have at least three sections having anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than about 3 mm.

Multiple Beams

It should be appreciated that one or more of a waistband 122, waistcap123, inner leg cuff 150, outer leg cuff 140 and/or a transverse barriermay be formed from multiple beams of elastic. For example, one beam mayform a first portion of one or more of a waistband 122, waistcap 123,inner leg cuff 150, outer leg cuff 140 and/or a transverse barrier and asecond beam may form a second portion of one or more of a waistband 122,waistcap 123, inner leg cuff 150, outer leg cuff 140 and/or a transversebarrier, where the separate beams may comprise a different number ofelastics, and/or the beams may have elastics having different decitex,and/or the elastics of the two beams may be disposed at differentspacing, and/or the separate beams may deliver elastics having differentpre-strain, and/or the different beams may deliver elastics havingdifferent orientations in the product, e.g. liner, arcuate, angled, etc.The resultant portions of the waistband 122, waistcap 123, inner legcuff 150, outer leg cuff 140 and/or transverse barrier created from sucha multi-beam approach may have different texture, garment-likeappearance, modulus and/or different force.

It is also to be appreciated that one or more of the absorbent articlecomponents including a belt 430, side panel 330, ear panel 530,waistband 122, chassis 200, topsheet 124 and backsheet 125, may comprisean elastomeric laminate 302 formed from multiple beams of elastic. Forexample, one beam may form a first portion of one or more absorbentarticle components including a belt 430, side panel 330, ear panel 530,waistband 122, chassis 200, topsheet 124 and backsheet 125, and a secondbeam may form a second portion of an absorbent article componentincluding a belt 430, side panel 330, ear panel 530, waistband 122,chassis 200, topsheet 124 and backsheet 125. The separate beams maycomprise a different number of elastics and the beams may have aplurality of elastics 316 having different decitex. The elastics of thetwo beams may be disposed at different spacing and/or the separate beamsmay deliver elastics having different pre-strain and/or the differentbeams may deliver elastics having different orientations in the product,e.g. liner, arcuate, angled, etc. The resultant portions of theabsorbent article components including a belt 430, side panel 330, earpanel 530, waistband 122, chassis 200, topsheet 124 and/or backsheet 125created from such a multi-beam approach may have different texture,garment-like appearance, modulus and/or different force.

Laterally Extending Elastics

A wearable article of the present disclosure may comprise one or moreelastomeric laminates 302 having a plurality of laterally extendingelastics, where the one or more elastomeric laminates may be present ina first waist region, the crotch region and/or in the opposing secondwaist region, and where the plurality of elastics 316 may be disposed inone or both of the first and second waist regions may have one or moreof a higher elastic decitex, higher percent strain, and smallerAverage-Strand-Spacing than some or all of the laterally extending aplurality of elastics disposed in the crotch region. Such a wearablearticle may comprise one or more elastomeric laminates 302 having aplurality of elastics 316 having from about 100 to about 1500 elasticstrands with an Average-Strand-Spacing from about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm,a decitex from about 10 to about 500, an elastic Average-Pre-Strain fromabout 50% to about 400%, and a first substrate 306 and/or secondsubstrate 308 each having a basis weight from about 6 grams per squaremeter to about 30 grams per square meter.

Chemistry (Spandex Vs. Extruded Strands) and Structure

Beamed elastic uses Spandex fibers. One type of Spandex fiber is“PolyUrethane Urea” elastomer or the “high hard segment levelPolyUrethane” elastomer, which must be formed into fibers using asolution (solvent) spinning process (as opposed to being processable inthe molten state.) The Urea linkages in PolyUrethane Urea providesstrong mutual chemical interactions crucial for providing “anchoring”that enables good stress relaxation performance at temperatures nearbody temperature on timescales corresponding to diaper wear, includingovernight. This type of anchoring enables better force relaxation (i.e.little force decay with time when held in stretched condition at bodytemperature) over many thermoplastic polyurethane (PolyUrethane withhard segment melting below 200 deg. C.) or thermoplastic Styrenic blockcopolymers.

In contrast, extruded strands and scrims are typically made of Styrenicblock copolymers or thermoplastic elastomers that can be formed in themolten state by conventional extrusion processes. Thermoplasticelastomers include compositions like polyolefin, polyurethane(PolyUrethane with hard segment melting below 200 deg. C.) elastomers,etc. Because these thermoplastic elastomers like Polyurethane(PolyUrethane with hard segment melting below 200 deg. C.) can bemelted/remelted, and extruded it makes them susceptible to higher stressrelaxation in use, which is a major negative. The styrenic blockcopolymers used in extruded strands comprise a comparatively longrubbery midblock situated between comparatively short end blocks. Endblocks sufficiently short to enable good flow conventional extrusionprocesses often have a greater propensity to stress relax and undergoforce relaxation over time see FIG. 23.

The Urea linkage present in Spandex requires it to be made by spinningprocess. Spandex can't be melted/remelted or extruded like Styrenicblock copolymers. Spandex pre-polymer is combined with solvent andadditives, and the solution is spun to make solid spandex fiber.Multiple fibers are then formed together to make one spandex strand. TheSpandex strands may have surface finish to avoid blocking and wound ontospools. The one spandex fiber may have a decitex of about 15, so a 500decitex strand may have nominally 33 fibers wound together to make onestrand. Depending on the decitex we use for beam approach, we may have15 fibers (or filaments), 8 fibers, 5 fibers, 3 fibers or even as low as2 fibers. Spandex fiber can be mono-component or bi-component (asdisclosed in WO201045637A2).

Further related to the chemistry of beamed elastics, it may be desirableto coat the beamed elastics with an oil, such as a silicone oil,including about 10%, about 7%, about 5%, about 3%, or about 1% siliconeoil. Treating the beamed elastics with silicone oil helps to preventblocking (cross-linking) when the strands are wound to a spool or a beamand it also lowers the COF for the strand in textile machinery (forweaving, knitting and warping processes).

Commercially available Spandex strands may also be known as Lycra,Creora, Roica, or Dorlastan. Spandex is often referred as Elastan fiberor Polyurethane fiber.

LYCRA HYFIT strands, a product of Invista, Wichita, Kans., are asuitable for making the strands that make up the plurality of elastics316 that make up the elastomeric laminate 302. Some strands, forexample, the aforementioned LYCRA HYFIT, may comprise a number ofindividual fibers wound together to form the strand. With regard toelastic strands formed of a number of individual fibers it has beendiscovered that the individual fibers can move relative to each otherchanging the cross sectional shape of the strand as well as becomingunraveled which can lead to poor control of the strands as well as poorbonding/adhering/joining of the elastic strands to one or both of thefirst substrate layer 306 and second substrate layer 308 of theelastomeric laminate 302. In order to minimize the negatives with regardto strands comprising a plurality of fibers it would be advantageous tominimize the number of fibers in a given strand. It would therefore bedesirable to have less than about 40 fibers per strand, less than about30 fibers per strand, less than about 20 fibers per strand, less thanabout 10 fibers per strand, less than about 5 fibers per strand and 1fiber forming the strand. In the case of a single fiber forming thestrand which can deliver comparable performance to the multi-fiberstrands of the prior art it would be desireable for the fiber to have afiber decitex from about 22 to about 300 and a fiber diameter from about50 micrometers to about 185 micrometers.

Beamed Elastomeric Laminate Examples

Consumer interactions and research has shown that a longstanding unmetconsumer need exists to provide absorbent articles which have the rightbalance of modulus for application and removal ease and freedom ofmovement while providing an article with low elastic pressure (relativeto today's stranded products) to provide a comfortable wearingexperience free from skin marks. It has been found that elastomericlaminate structures having a modulus of from about 2 gf/mm to about 15gf/mm, alternatively from about 3 gf/mm to about 12 gf/mm, in otheralternative embodiments from about 4 gf/mm to about 10 gf/mm aredesirable for ease of application, ease of removal, conforming fit andfreedom of movement. Depending on the elastic configuration in thesestructures they may exhibit very high Pressure-Under-Strand, e.g.,elastic strands, leading to increased skin marking and reduced comfort.One approach to reduce the pressure of the elastic on the skin is toincrease the number of elastics for a given area. Increasing the numberof elastics within a given area alone may reduce thePressure-Under-Strand, however, if that is the only change it can alsosignificantly increase the overall modulus of the elastomeric laminatestructure. In order to achieve the right balance of modulus and pressureon the skin it is necessary to reduce the elastic decitex and/or theelastic strain as the spacing between the elastics is reduced therebyincreasing the elastic number in order to balance the modulus andpressure on the skin and maintain these parameters within the consumerpreferred range. This breakthrough has been enabled through delivery ofvery low decitex elastic at very low strain levels and with very tightelastic spacing that have never before been seen in disposable absorbentarticles. Delivery of such low decitex elastic at low strain and tightspacing is enabled via a new to absorbent article technology createdfrom the textile warp beam technology approach. The examples below aresome embodiments of such elastomeric structures.

TABLE 1 Inventive Belt Elastic Profiles Average- Pressure- Strand-Section- Under- Number of Average- Average- Spacing Open Area ModulusStrand Section Elastics Dtex Pre-Strain (mm) (%) (gf/mm) (psi) A FrontBelt 1 40 140 100% 0.6 79.2% 10.9 0.328 2 40 70 150% 0.6 85.3% 5.5 0.4633 40 70 150% 0.6 85.3% 5.5 0.463 4 40 140 100% 0.6 79.2% 10.9 0.328 BackBelt 4 40 140 100% 0.6 79.2% 10.9 0.328 3 40 70 150% 0.6 85.3% 5.5 0.4632 40 70 150% 0.6 85.3% 5.5 0.463 1 40 140 100% 0.6 79.2% 10.9 0.328 BFront Belt 1 50 70 175% 0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386 2 50 70 175% 0.5 82.4% 6.60.386 3 50 70 175% 0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386 4 50 70 175% 0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386Back Belt 4 50 70 175% 0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386 3 50 70 175% 0.5 82.4% 6.60.386 2 50 70 175% 0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386 1 50 70 175% 0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386C Front Belt 1 30 70 200% 0.8 89.0% 4.1 0.618 2 20 210 150% 1.1 86.1%8.9 0.490 3 30 70 200% 0.8 89.0% 4.1 0.618 4 30 70 200% 0.8 89.0% 4.10.618 Back Belt 4 30 70 200% 0.8 89.0% 4.1 0.618 3 30 70 200% 0.8 89.0%4.1 0.618 2 30 70 200% 0.8 89.0% 4.1 0.618 1 30 210 150% 1.1 86.1% 8.90.490

TABLE 2 Inventive Ear/Side Panel Elastic Profiles Average- Pressure-Strand- Section- Under- Number of Average- Average- Spacing Open AreaModulus Strand Section Elastics Dtex Pre-Strain (mm) (%) (gf/mm) (psi) A1 30 140 125% 1.0 87.5% 6.6 0.546 2 30 140 125% 0.8 84.4% 8.2 0.437 3 30140 125% 1.0 87.5% 6.6 0.546 4 30 140 125% 1.0 87.5% 6.6 0.546 B 1 60 70125% 0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386 2 60 70 125% 0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386 3 60 70 125%0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386 4 60 70 125% 0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386 C 1 15 210 165% 2.092.4% 4.9 0.892 2 15 210 165% 1.1 86.1% 8.9 0.490 3 15 210 165% 2.092.4% 4.9 0.892 4 15 210 165% 2.0 92.4% 4.9 0.892

TABLE 3 Inventive Waistband Elastic Profiles Average- Pressure- Strand-Section- Under- Number of Average- Average- Spacing Open Area ModulusStrand Section Elastics Dtex Pre-Strain (mm) (%) (gf/mm) (psi) A 1 40111 100% 0.6 81.5% 8.7 0.368 B 1 50 90 110% 0.5 80.0% 8.4 0.341 C 1 35120 200% 0.7 83.5% 8.0 0.413

TABLE 4 Inventive Cuff Elastic Profiles Average- Pressure- Strand-Section- Under- Number of Average- Average- Spacing Open Area ModulusStrand Section Elastics Dtex Pre-Strain (mm) (%) (gf/mm) (psi) A Inner50 30 200% 0.5 88.5% 2.8 0.590 Outer 50 70 200% 0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386 BInner 25 70 170% 0.5 82.4% 6.6 0.386 Outer 25 140 200% 1.0 87.5% 6.60.546 C Inner 25 140  85% 0.5 75.1% 13.1 0.273 Outer 25 140 200% 1.087.5% 6.6 0.546

Example 1—Belt Pant Article (See, for Example, FIGS. 5, 5A, 6, 7, 7A,and 8)

Example 1 is a belted pant absorbent article. The pant comprises a beltlaminate disposed in both the waist regions and the following materialsand construction.

Outer Belt Layer (first substrate layer 306): 13 gsm spunbond nonwovenInner Belt Layer (second substrate layer 308): 13 gsm spunbond nonwovenBacksheet Film 126: 12 gsm liquid impermeable polyethylene filmCore Wrap: 10 gsm hydrophilic spunbond nonwovenAGM: absorbent gelling materialDistribution Layer: crosslinked cellulosic fiberAcquisition Layer: 43 gsm synthetic acquisition layerTopsheet 124: 12 gsm hydrophilic spunbond nonwoven

Belt Elastic Profile: Table 1, col B Cuff Elastic Profile: Table 4, colC Example 2—Taped Article (See, for Example, FIGS. 9, 9A, and 10)

Example 2 is a side panel taped absorbent article. The taped articlecomprises a pair of side panels disposed in a first waist region and thefollowing materials and construction.

Elastomeric Ear Panel Outer Layer (first substrate layer 306): 17 gsmcarded nonwovenElastomeric Ear Panel Inner Layer (second substrate layer 308): 17 gsmspunbond nonwovenBacksheet Film 126: 12 gsm liquid impermeable polyethylene filmCore Wrap: 10 gsm hydrophilic spunbond nonwovenAGM: absorbent gelling materialDistribution Layer: crosslinked cellulosic fiberAcquisition Layer: 43 gsm synthetic acquisition layerTopsheet 124: 12 gsm hydrophilic spunbond nonwoven

Side Panel Elastic Profile: Table 2, col A Cuff Elastic Profile: Table4, col B Front Waistband: Table 3, col A Back Waistband: Table 3, col AExample 3—Side Panel Pant Article (See, for Example, FIGS. 3 and 3B)

Example 3 is a side panel pant absorbent article. The pant article has apair of side panels disposed in each waist region and comprises thefollowing materials and construction.

Side Panel Outer Layer (first substrate layer 306): 17 gsm cardednonwovenSide Panel Inner Layer (second substrate layer 308): 17 gsm spunbondnonwovenBacksheet Film 126: 12 gsm liquid impermeable polyethylene filmCore Wrap: 10 gsm hydrophilic spunbond nonwovenAGM: absorbent gelling materialDistribution Layer: crosslinked cellulosic fiberAcquisition Layer: 43 gsm synthetic acquisition layerTopsheet 124: 12 gsm hydrophilic spunbond nonwoven

Front Side Panel Elastic Profile: Table 2, col B BackSide Panel ElasticProfile: Table 2, col B Cuff Elastic Profile: Table 4, col A FrontWaistband: Table 3, col C Back Waistband: Table 3, col C

TABLE 5 Performance Characteristics of Existing and Inventive BeltSections Table 5. Performance Characteristics of Existing and InventiveBelt Sections Average-Strand- Section-Modulus Pressure-Under- ExampleBelt Sections Average-Dtex Spacing (mm) Open Area (%) (gf/mm) Strand(psi) Currently Marketed Product A 1100 9.0 96.1% 5.7 1.753 (examplesection 1 of 4) Currently Marketed Product A 940 9.0 96.4% 7.3 1.897(example section 2 of 4) Currently Marketed Product A 680 9.0 97.0% 3.52.230 (example section 3 of 4) Currently Marketed Product B 800 7.095.7% 5.4 1.599 (example section 1 of 4) Currently Marketed Product B680 7.0 96.1% 4.6 1.734 (example section 2 of 4) Currently MarketedProduct C 470 4.0 94.3% 5.5 1.192 (example section 1 of 4) CurrentlyMarketed Product C 680 4.0 93.1% 8.0 0.991 (example section 2 of 4)Inventive Example 160 0.5 73.4% 15.0 0.255 (example section 1 of 4)Inventive Example 140 0.5 75.1% 13.1 0.273 (example section 2 of 4)Inventive Example 250 0.8 79.2% 14.6 0.327 (example section 3 of 4)

A product's “rectangular” nature can be assessed by the ProductHip-to-Waist Silhouette and the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette, asillustrated in FIG. 1. Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouettes from about 0.8to about 1.1 are more rectangular and are also not possible with today'sstranded products as shown in FIG. 19 and in Table 6. Additionally,having a Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette from about 0.8 to about 2.0further enhance this rectangular nature.

TABLE 6 Examples of Product Hip-to-Waist & Waist-to-Crotch Silhouettefor Existing Stranded Products Relaxed Product Relaxed Product WaistWidth Relaxed Product Crotch Width Product Hip-to- Product Waist-to-(mm) Hip Width (mm) (mm) Waist Silhouette Crotch Silhouette Moony ManAir Fit size S 122 159 120 1.30 1.02 size M 111 166 117 1.50 0.95 sizeLG 129 170 114 1.32 1.13 size BIG 146 163 122 1.12 1.20 size BIGGER THANBIG 139 190 117 1.37 1.19 size SUPER 152 206 117 1.35 1.30 Goo.NYawaraka Fit Pants size S 93 166 127 1.79 0.73 size M 84 175 122 2.070.69 size LG 92 177 117 1.92 0.79 size BIG 105 170 137 1.61 0.77 sizeBIGGER THAN BIG 96 186 127 1.95 0.75 size SUPER 117 220 178 1.88 0.66Pampers Sara Sara Pants size S 111 167 81 1.50 1.37 size M 89 168 851.89 1.04 size L 102 173 84 1.69 1.22 Merries Pull-Ups size M 125 173122 1.38 1.03 size L 131 185 125 1.41 1.05 Depend Fit-Flex Underwear forWomen - Moderate size S/M 230 263 114 1.14 2.02 size L 231 274 118 1.181.96 size XL 249 291 120 1.17 2.07 Always Discreet Boutique size S/M 286325 102 1.14 2.80 size L 304 330 107 1.08 2.84

Table 7 below illustrates inventive stranded products, whose ProductHip-to-Waist Silhouettes and Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouettes providefor a more uniform package. These inventive products are provided simplyas non-limiting examples.

TABLE 7 Examples of Product Hip-to-Waist & Waist-to-Crotch Silhouettefor Inventive Stranded Products Relaxed Product Relaxed ProductInventive Beamed Waist Width Relaxed Product Crotch Width ProductHip-to- Product Waist-to- Product (mm) Hip Width (mm) (mm) WaistSilhouette Crotch Silhouette size M 145 155 102 1.07 1.42 size L 170 175105 1.03 1.62 size S/M 300 320 120 1.07 2.50 size L 360 380 130 1.062.77

Absorbent Article Sections

Components of absorbent articles comprising elastomeric laminates 302may be sectioned to enable measurement and detailed characterization ofthe structure. Waistband 122 (see FIGS. 3B, 4, and 10), waistcap 123(see FIG. 9), inner leg cuff 150, outer leg cuff 140, and transversebarrier 165 all comprise 1 section. With regard to the waistband 122,waistcap 123, inner leg cuff 150, outer leg cuff 140 and transversebarrier 165 the section is defined as the region disposed between andincluding the distal most elastic and the proximal most elastic.

Other components such as the chassis 200, topsheet 124 (see FIGS. 7A and7C), backsheet 125 (see FIGS. 7C and 7D), side panel 330 (see FIG. 3B),ear panel 530 (FIGS. 9 and 10), and belt panel 430 (see FIGS. 7 and 7A)all comprise multiple sections as described herein. With regard to theside panel 330, ear panel 530 and belt panel 430 the portion of thecomponent to be sectioned is defined as the region disposed between andincluding the distal most elastic of the elastomeric laminate 302 andthe proximal most elastic of the elastomeric laminate 302. The region isdefined by a first line extending parallel to the lateral axis 44 andpassing through the distal most point of the distal most elastic and asecond line extending parallel to the lateral axis and passing throughthe proximal most point of the proximal most elastic. For each of theseelements, the region is then divided into 4 equal sections, defined bythree lines disposed parallel to the lateral axis 44 and disposed at25%, 50% and 75% of the distance between the first line and second line.The region comprises a first section which includes the distal mostelastic, a fourth section which includes the proximal most elastic, asecond section disposed adjacent the first section and a third sectiondisposed between the second section and the fourth section.

With regard to the chassis 200, topsheet 124 (see FIGS. 7A and 7C), andbacksheet 125 (see FIG. 7C) wherein the elastics 316 of the elastomericlaminate 302 extend in a substantially longitudinal orientation, theportion of the component to be sectioned is defined as the regiondisposed between and including the distal most elastic of theelastomeric laminate 302 on a first side of the longitudinal axis 42 andthe distal most elastic of the elastomeric laminate 302 on a second sideof the longitudinal axis 42. The region is defined by a first lineextending parallel to the longitudinal axis 42 and passing through thedistal most point of the distal most elastic on a first side of thelongitudinal axis 42 and a second line extending parallel to thelongitudinal axis 42 and passing through the distal most point of thedistal most elastic on a second side of the longitudinal axis 42. Foreach of these elements, the region is then divided into 4 equalsections, defined by three lines disposed parallel to the longitudinalaxis 42 and disposed at 25%, 50% and 75% of the distance between thefirst line and second line. The region comprises a first section whichincludes the distal most elastic on the first side of the longitudinalaxis, a fourth section which includes the distal most elastic on thesecond side of the longitudinal axis, a second section disposed adjacentthe first section and a third section disposed between the secondsection and the fourth section.

With regard to the chassis 200, topsheet 124, and backsheet 125 (seeFIG. 7D) wherein the elastics 316 of the elastomeric laminate 302 extendin a substantially lateral orientation, the portion of the component tobe sectioned is defined as the region disposed between and including thedistal most elastic of the elastomeric laminate 302 on a first side ofthe lateral axis 44 and the distal most elastic of the elastomericlaminate 302 on a second side of the lateral axis 44. The region isdefined by a first line extending parallel to the lateral axis 44 andpassing through the distal most point of the distal most elastic on afirst side of the lateral axis 44 and a second line extending parallelto the lateral axis 44 and passing through the distal most point of thedistal most elastic on a second side of the lateral axis 44. For each ofthese elements, the region is then divided into 4 equal sections,defined by three lines disposed parallel to the lateral axis 44 anddisposed at 25%, 50% and 75% of the distance between the first line andsecond line. The region comprises a first section which includes thedistal most elastic on the first side of the lateral axis, a fourthsection which includes the distal most elastic on the second side of thelateral axis, a second section disposed adjacent the first section and athird section disposed between the second section and the fourthsection.

Absorbent Article Packaging and Package Indicia

Referring to FIG. 17, the absorbent articles 100 of the presentdisclosure may be placed into packages 610 (shown as dotted lines so theabsorbent articles 100 may be seen). The packages may comprise polymericfilms and/or other materials. Graphics and/or indicia 1000 relating toproperties of the absorbent articles may be formed on, printed on,positioned on, and/or placed on outer portions of the packages. Eachpackage may comprise a plurality of absorbent articles 100. Theabsorbent articles 100 may be packed under compression so as to reducethe size of the packages, while still providing an adequate amount ofabsorbent articles per package. By packaging the absorbent articlesunder compression, caregivers can easily handle and store the packages610, while also providing distribution savings to manufacturers owing tothe size of the packages. Accordingly, packages 610 of the absorbentarticles 100 of the present disclosure may have an In-Bag Stack Heightas disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2014/0052088 to Weisman, titledABSORBENT PRODUCTS HAVING IMPROVED PACKAGING EFFICIENCY.

Desirably, the package 610 has parallel sides and a package top that isparallel to the package bottom, making the package ideal for stacking ona shelf for storage or for display in a store for purchase by consumers.Typically packages 610 of absorbent articles 100 are labeled sizinginformation that may include a recommended wearer's weight range(typically for babies, infants, and toddlers) and/or a recommendedwearer's waist circumference (typically for adult absorbent articleproducts) that the packaged article is intended to fit. As a result, theweight and/or the waist circumference information is most often placedon the package 610 as part of the indicia 1000 to identify theappropriate size of the article needed by the consumer.

Further, the indicia 1000 may illustrate the wearer wearing the articleand/or a separate indicia may illustrate the article component orfeature. Regarding absorbent articles for babies, descriptions ofsuitable stages of development indicia and methods of displayingpackages comprising absorbent articles may be found in U.S. Pat. No.7,222,732 to Ronn, titled MERCHANDISE DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYINGDISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE CONFIGURATIONS FOR WEARERS.

Desirably, the package 610 has parallel sides and a package top that isparallel to the package bottom, making the package ideal for stacking ona shelf for storage or for display in a store for purchase by consumers.Typically packages 610 of absorbent articles 100 are labeled with arecommended wearer weight range (typically for babies, infants, andtoddlers) and/or by waist circumference (typically for adult absorbentarticle products) that the packaged article is intended to fit. As aresult, the weight and/or the waist circumference information is mostoften placed on the package 610 as part of the indicia 1000 to identifythe appropriate size of the article needed by the consumer.

Further, the indicia 1000 may illustrate the wearer wearing the articleand/or a separate indicia may illustrate the article component orfeature. Regarding absorbent articles for babies, descriptions ofsuitable stages of development indicia and methods of displayingpackages comprising absorbent articles may be found in U.S. Pat. No.7,222,732 to Ronn, titled MERCHANDISE DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYINGDISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE CONFIGURATIONS FOR WEARERS.

Example Claim Combinations Example Claim Set 1

1. An absorbent article, comprising:

a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch regiontherebetween;

a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent coredisposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the chassiscomprises a front end edge, a back end edge, and a pair of laterallyopposing side edges;

a back belt joined to the back waist region of the chassis and extendingoutboard of the back waist region of the chassis;

a front belt joined to the front waist region of the chassis andextending outboard of the front waist region of the chassis;

wherein the front belt is joined to the back belt at or adjacent thelaterally opposing belt side edges to form leg openings and a waistopening to form a closed-form pant;

a longitudinal axis extending from the midpoint of the front waist edgeto the midpoint of the back waist edge;

a lateral axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis throughthe midpoint of the longitudinal axis;

wherein the back belt comprises a first plurality of elastics comprisinggreater than about 40 elastic strands, and wherein the front beltcomprises a second plurality of elastics comprising greater than about40 elastic strands;

wherein the first plurality of elastics has an Average-Strand-Spacing ofless than 4 mm, and wherein the second plurality of elastics has anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than 4 mm;

wherein the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette is from about 0.8 to about1.1;

wherein the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette is from about 0.8 toabout 2.0; and

wherein the absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Waist Width fromabout 80 mm to about 270 mm and a Relaxed Product Hip Width from about80 mm to about 300 mm.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the back belt isdivided into 4 equal sections, wherein Section 4 comprises a proximalend edge of the back belt, Section 1 comprises a distal end edge of theback belt, Section 2 is proximate to Section 1 and Section 3 isproximate to Section 4, and wherein the front belt is divided into 4equal sections, wherein Section 4 comprises a proximal end edge of thefront belt, Section 1 comprises a distal end edge of the front belt,Section 2 is proximate to Section 1 and Section 3 is proximate toSection 4.3. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the front belt comprises a front inner (wearer-facing) nonwovenand a front outer (garment facing) nonwoven, and wherein the back beltcomprises a back inner (wearer-facing) nonwoven and a back outer(garment facing) nonwoven.4. The absorbent article of claim 3, wherein the front inner nonwovenand the back inner nonwoven are separate and longitudinally spaced fromeach other.5. The absorbent article according to any of claims 3 and 4, wherein thefront outer nonwoven and the back outer nonwoven are separate andlongitudinally spaced from each other.6. The absorbent article of claim 4, wherein the front outer nonwovenand the back outer nonwoven are formed from the same outer covernonwoven layer, such that the outer cover nonwoven layer continuouslyextends from the front waist region to the back waist region.7. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein section 1 of at the frontbelt comprises more elastics than sections 2, 3, or 4 of the front belt,and wherein section 1 of at the back belt comprises more elastics thansections 2, 3, or 4 of the back belt.8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 and 7, whereinat least one of the sections of the front belt comprise greater than 10elastic strands, and wherein at least two of the sections of the backbelt comprise greater than 10 elastic strands.9. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2, 7 and 8,wherein at least two of the sections of the front belt have anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than about 3 mm, and wherein at leastthree of the sections of the back belt have an Average-Strand-Spacing ofless than about 3 mm.10. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2, 7, 8 and 9,wherein the sum of sections 1 and 2 of at the front belt comprisesgreater than 20 elastic strands, and wherein the sum of sections 1 and 2of at the front belt comprises greater than 20 elastic strands.11. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein at least a portion of the first plurality of elastics overlapthe absorbent core, and wherein at least a portion of the secondplurality of elastics overlap the absorbent core.12. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 3, 4, 5, and 6,wherein the back inner and outer nonwovens are different in composition,polymer type, fiber diameter, fiber shape, bond pattern, color, nonwoventype (e.g. spunbond, carded, etc.) and/or basis weight.13. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2, 7, 8, 9, and10, wherein sections 1 and 2 of the first plurality of elastics have adifferent section modulus than sections 1 and 2 of the second pluralityof elastics.14. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2, 7, 8, 9, 10,and 13, wherein each of the sections of the first plurality of elasticsand the sections of the second plurality of elastics have a differentsection modulus.15. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the back belt has a greater longitudinal distance than the frontbelt along the longitudinal axis, wherein the front and back belts aresubstantially co-terminus at the waist opening.16. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Waist Width fromabout 170 mm to about 270 mm.17. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1-15, whereinthe absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Waist Width from about 80 mmto about 180 mm.18. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Relaxed Product Hip Width is from about 80 mm to about 200mm.19. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Relaxed Product Length is from about 200 mm to about 300 mm.20. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette is from about 0.9 to about1, and the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette is from about 0.9 to about1.5.21. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette is from about 0.95 to about1, and the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette is from about 1.2 to about1.35.22. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette is from about 1.25 toabout 1.35.23. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of elasticscomprise PolyUrethane Urea.24. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of elasticscomprise a silicone oil coating.25. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the back belt comprises a first substrate layer and a secondsubstrate layer and the first plurality of elastics is disposed betweenand joined to the first and second substrate layers via an adhesive.26. The absorbent article according to claim 25, wherein the adhesive isselected from the group consisting of Styrenic block copolymers,Polyolefins, Ethylene-vinyl Acetates, Polyurethanes, Ethylene-propylenecopolymers, Propylene-ethylene copolymers, Polyolefin block polymers,Polyolefin homo-polymers, Polyesters, Polyamides, Silicones,Cyanoacrylics, Acrylics, butyl rubber, and combinations thereof.27. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of elasticsconsists essentially of PolyUrethane Urea.28. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of elasticsconsists of PolyUrethane Urea.29. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 25 and 26,wherein the front belt comprises a third substrate layer and a fourthsubstrate layer and the second plurality of elastics is disposed betweenand joined to the first and second substrate layers via the adhesive.30. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 25 and 26,wherein the front belt comprises a third substrate layer, and whereinthe second plurality of elastics is disposed between and joined to thesecond and third substrate layers via the adhesive.31. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 25 and 26,wherein the second plurality of elastics is disposed between and joinedto the first and second substrate layers via the adhesive.32. The absorbent article according to claim 25, wherein the adhesive isselected from the group consisting of thermoplastic, thermoset,hot-melt, pressure sensitive, solvent-based, and reactive thermoset.33. A method for producing the absorbent article(s) of any of thepreceding claims, comprising the step of unwinding the first pluralityof elastics are unwound from a single beam to form the elastomericlaminate.34. A method for producing the absorbent article(s) of any of thepreceding claims, comprising the step of unwinding the first pluralityof elastics and the second plurality of elastics from a single beam toform the elastomeric laminate.35. A method for producing the absorbent article(s) of any one of claims1-32, comprising the first step of unwinding the first plurality ofelastics from a first beam and comprising the second step of unwindingthe second plurality of elastics from a second beam, the second beamseparate from the first beam, to form the elastomeric laminate.

Example Claim Set 2

1. An absorbent article, comprising:

a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch regiontherebetween;

a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent coredisposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the chassiscomprises a front end edge, a back end edge, and a pair of laterallyopposing side edges;

a back belt joined to the back waist region of the chassis and extendingoutboard of the back waist region of the chassis;

a front belt joined to the front waist region of the chassis andextending outboard of the front waist region of the chassis;

wherein the front belt is joined to the back belt at or adjacent thelaterally opposing belt side edges to form leg openings and a waistopening to form a closed-form pant;

a longitudinal axis extending from the midpoint of the front waist edgeto the midpoint of the back waist edge;

a lateral axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis throughthe midpoint of the longitudinal axis;

wherein the back belt comprises a first plurality of elastics comprisinggreater than about 40 elastic strands, and wherein the front beltcomprises a second plurality of elastics comprising greater than about40 elastic strands;

wherein the first plurality of elastics has an Average-Strand-Spacing ofless than 4 mm, and wherein the second plurality of elastics has anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than 4 mm;

wherein the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette is from about 0.8 to about1.1;

wherein the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette is from about 0.8 toabout 2.8; and

wherein the article comprises at least one of the following:

-   -   (a) Relaxed Product Waist Width is from about 200 mm to about        400 mm;    -   (b) Relaxed Product Length from about 250 mm to about 450 mm;        and    -   (c) Relaxed Product Hip Width from about 200 to about 450 mm.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the back belt is dividedinto 4 equal sections, wherein Section 4 comprises a proximal end edgeof the back belt, Section 1 comprises a distal end edge of the backbelt, Section 2 is proximate to Section 1 and Section 3 is proximate toSection 4, and wherein the front belt is divided into 4 equal sections,wherein Section 4 comprises a proximal end edge of the front belt,Section 1 comprises a distal end edge of the front belt, Section 2 isproximate to Section 1 and Section 3 is proximate to Section 4.

3. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the front belt comprises afront inner (wearer-facing) nonwoven and a front outer (garment facing)nonwoven, and wherein the back belt comprises a back inner(wearer-facing) nonwoven and a back outer (garment facing) nonwoven.

4. The absorbent article of claim 3, wherein the front inner nonwovenand the back inner nonwoven are separate and longitudinally spaced fromeach other.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 3 and 4, whereinthe front outer nonwoven and the back outer nonwoven are separate andlongitudinally spaced from each other.

6. The absorbent article of claim 4, wherein the front outer nonwovenand the back outer nonwoven are formed from the same outer covernonwoven layer, such that the outer cover nonwoven layer continuouslyextends from the front waist region to the back waist region.

7. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the article comprises at least two of the following:

(a) Relaxed Product Waist Width is from about 225 mm to about 375 mm;

(b) Relaxed Product Length is from about 275 mm to about 425; and

(c) Relaxed Product Hip Width is from about 225 mm to about 425 mm.

8. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein at least one of thesections of the front belt comprise at least 20 elastic strands, andwherein at least two of the sections of the back belt comprise at least20 elastic strands.

9. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 and 8, whereinat least one of the sections of the front belt have anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than about 3 mm, and wherein at least twoof the sections of the back belt have an Average-Strand-Spacing of lessthan about 3 mm.

10. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2, 8, and 9,wherein the sum of sections 1 and 2 of at the back belt comprisesgreater than 40 elastic strands; and wherein the sum of sections 1 and 2of at the front belt comprises greater than 40 elastic strands.

11. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein at least a portion of the first plurality of elastics overlapthe absorbent core, and wherein at least a portion of the secondplurality of elastics overlap the absorbent core.

12. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the article comprises at least three of the following:

(a) Relaxed Product Waist Width is from about 250 mm to about 350 mm;

(b) Relaxed Product Length is from about 300 mm to about 400; and

(c) Relaxed Product Hip Width is from about 250 mm to about 400 mm.

13. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Relaxed Product Waist Width is from about 275 mm to about325 mm.

14. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Relaxed Product Waist Width is from about 285 mm to about315 mm.

15. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Relaxed Product Length is from about 325 mm to about 375 mm.

16. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Relaxed Product Length is from about 335 mm to about 365 mm.

17. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette is from about 0.9 to about1.1, and the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette is from about 0.8 toabout 2.5.

18. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette is from about 1 to about1.1, and the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette is from about 0.8 toabout 2.

19. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette is from about 1.05 to about1.1, and the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette is from about 1 to about2.

20. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of elasticscomprise PolyUrethane Urea.

21. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of elasticscomprise a silicone oil coating.

22. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the back belt comprises a first substrate layer and a secondsubstrate layer and the first plurality of elastics is disposed betweenand joined to the first and second substrate layers via an adhesive.

23. The absorbent article according to claim 22, wherein the adhesive isselected from the group consisting of Styrenic block copolymers,Polyolefins, Ethylene-vinyl Acetates, Polyurethanes, Ethylene-propylenecopolymers, Propylene-ethylene copolymers, Polyolefin block polymers,Polyolefin homo-polymers, Polyesters, Polyamides, Silicones,Cyanoacrylics, Acrylics, butyl rubber etc.

24. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of elasticsconsists essentially of PolyUrethane Urea.

25. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of elasticsconsists of PolyUrethane Urea.

26. The absorbent article according to any one of claim 22 or 23,wherein the front belt comprises a third substrate layer and a fourthsubstrate layer and the second plurality of elastics is disposed betweenand joined to the third and fourth substrate layers via the adhesive.

27. The absorbent article according to any one of claim 22 or 23,wherein the front belt comprises a third substrate layer, and whereinthe second plurality of elastics is disposed between and joined to thesecond and third substrate layers via the adhesive.

28. The absorbent article according to any one of claim 22 or 23,wherein the second plurality of elastics is disposed between and joinedto the first and second substrate layers via the adhesive.

29. The absorbent article according to claim 22, wherein the adhesive isselected from the group consisting of thermoplastic, thermoset,hot-melt, pressure sensitive, solvent based, reactive thermoset, andcombinations thereof.

30. A method for producing the absorbent article(s) of any of thepreceding claims, comprising the step of unwinding the first pluralityof elastics are unwound from a single beam to form the elastomericlaminate.

31. A method for producing the absorbent article(s) of any of thepreceding claims, comprising the step of unwinding the first pluralityof elastics and the second plurality of elastics from a single beam toform the elastomeric laminate.

32. A method for producing the absorbent article(s) of any one of claims1-29, comprising the first step of unwinding the first plurality ofelastics from a first beam and comprising the second step of unwindingthe second plurality of elastics from a second beam, the second beamseparate from the first beam, to form the elastomeric laminate.

Methods General Sample Preparation

The General Sample Preparation is intended to be used for methods thatdo not have specific sample preparation instructions within the methoditself.

The When collecting a specimen for testing, the specimen must contain aplurality of elastic strands and/or an elastic material; film, elasticscrim, elastic foam, elastic ribbons, elastic strips, etc. In situationswhere the elastic material and/or elastic strands is not fully securedwithin the sample, the test specimen must be obtained in a way thatelastic material and/or elastic strands within the test region of thespecimen are as they were intended and not altered as a result ofcollection of the specimen. If the elastic material or any elasticstrands release, creep or become separated within or from the laminate,the specimen is discarded and a new specimen prepared.

For pants, remove the side panels where they are attached to the chassisand separate the side panels at the side seams. Identify the elasticmaterial that transverses the entire width of the panel. Identify thelongitudinally distal most edge of the elastic material or elasticstrand (closest to the waist edge) and the longitudinally proximal mostedge of the elastic material or elastic strand (closest to the leg edge)determine the midpoint between the distal most elastic strand or elasticmaterial edge and the proximal most elastic strand or elastic materialedge. Cut a 40 mm wide strip laterally across the entire panel centeredat the midpoint. Repeat for each front and rear side panel that containselastic material and/or elastic strands.

For taped, remove ear panels where they are attached to the chassis.Identify the elastic material that transverses the entire width of thepanel. Identify the distal most elastic material edge or elastic strand(closest to the waist edge) and the proximal most elastic material edgeor elastic strand (closest to the leg edge) determine the midpointbetween the distal most elastic strand or elastic material edge and theproximal most elastic strand or elastic material edge. Cut a 40 mm widestrip laterally across the entire ear panel centered at the midpoint.Repeat for each front and rear ear panel that contains elastic materialand/or elastic strands.

For a belted article, mark the product on the front and back byextending a line from along the side of the core to the waist edge.Remove the belt from the article, using an appropriate means (e.g.freeze spray), taking care not to delaminate the belt or release theelastics. Separate the front belt from the back belt along any seams.Identify the distal most elastic material edge or elastic strand(closest to the waist edge) and the proximal most elastic material edgeor strand (closest to the leg edge) determine the midpoint between thedistal most elastic strand or elastic material edge and the proximalmost elastic strand or elastic material edge. Cut a 40 mm wide stripparallel to the waist edge if linear or to the elastic strands if linearand centered at the midpoint, across the entire belt portion. If thestrip has a region that does not contain elastic strands or elasticmaterial (e.g., a portion that overlapped the core, etc.) cut along theends of the elastic strands/elastic material, to remove the non-elasticregion and treat as two specimens.

For waistbands, they are tested as a single piece of material. Removethe belt from the article, using an appropriate means (e.g. freezespray), taking care not to delaminate the belt or release the elastics.

For the leg cuffs, each of the leg cuffs are tested as a single piece ofmaterial. The inner leg cuff sample is considered to be the portion ofthe inner leg cuff that extends from the proximal most edge of the innerleg cuff to and including the distal most elastic of the inner leg cuffand extending longitudinally to the front and back waist edges of thechassis. The outer leg cuff sample is considered to be the portion ofthe outer leg cuff that extends from the distal most edge of the outerleg cuff to and including the proximal most elastic of the outer legcuff and extending longitudinally to the front and back waist edges ofthe chassis.

For all specimen strips calculate a Span Corrected Width (SCW) iscalculated as:

${{Span}\mspace{14mu} {Corrected}\mspace{14mu} {Width}} = {d\left( \frac{n}{n - 1} \right)}$

where d is the distance (mm) between the two distal strands, and n isthe number of strands, when n>1. Clamp the strip at each end and measurethe length between the clamps to the nearest 1 mm. Apply a weight equalto 3 g/mm SCW. After 10 seconds measure the final weight to the nearest1 mm. Calculate the elongation as (Final Length−Initial Length)/Initiallength.

Product Measurement Preparation for Donning-Ratio, ProductLength-to-Waist Silhouette and Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette

All measurements are conducted at 22° C.+/−2° and 50% RH+/−20%.

Purpose

This method is used to prepare pant type products for subsequentdimensional measurement. The method provides a consistent means ofopening a product that has been removed from a bag. This method isapplicable to all forms of pant products. A constant rate of extensiontensile testing machine with computer interface is used.

A load cell is chosen so that the load cell capacity ensures accuracy ofa 5N load to within 0.1N.

Sample Holder Apparatus

“C” (604) and “O” (605) Bar attachments each with a rod radius of 9.50mm that extend longer than the length of the longest side seam. Refer toFIG. 20. The bars are mounted horizontally in the tensile tester withtheir longitudinal axes in the same vertical plane and with upper barmounted directly above the lower bar.

Equipment Set Up

Calibrate tensile tester equipment according to the instrumentmanufacturer's recommendations.

The initial gauge length is determined by removing 10 sample productsfrom the bag, unfolding the pant products (607) and laying them flat asillustrated in FIG. 21, below and measuring the distance between thesides of the pant at the waist as shown (606). The average of the waistmeasurement will be used as the initial gauge length for the specificset of specimens. The initial gauge length is the distance from theuppermost edge of the upper bar to the lowermost edge of the lower bar.

Apply the whole product (607) to the bars as shown in FIG. 22 whileminimizing manipulation of the specimen.

Pull Sample to 5 N Force then hold for 10 seconds. Return to initialgauge length.Crosshead Speed=254.0 mm/min, Data acquisition rate=50 Hz.

Cycles=1

Remove the specimen from the bars while minimizing manipulation. Lay thespecimen flat with the front side facing upward as shown in FIG. 2.

Repeat for all 10 specimens

Physical Measurements

Each of the measurements below is to be conducted on 10 separate likespecimens and the average of the 10 separate like specimens isconsidered to be the measurement for that specific specimen set.

Relaxed Product Length (600)

Relaxed Product Length is the longitudinal distance between thelongitudinally distal most point in the crotch region and thelongitudinally distal most point along the front waist edge. Thelongitudinal distance is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe product. Refer to FIG. 2.

Relaxed Product Hip Width (601)

Relaxed Product Hip Width is the lateral distance from the laterallydistal most point of the left side edge of the product at the upper edgeof the left leg opening to the laterally distal most point of the rightside edge of the product at the upper edge of the right leg opening.Refer to FIG. 2. The lateral distance is measured perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the product.

Relaxed Product Waist Width (602)

Relaxed Product Waist Width is the lateral distance from the distal mostpoint at the right side of the front waist edge to the distal most pointat the left side of the front waist edge. The lateral distance ismeasured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer toFIG. 2.

Relaxed Product Crotch Width (608)

Relaxed Product Crotch Width is the lateral distance from the laterallydistal most point of the left side edge of the product at the lower edgeof the left leg opening to the laterally distal most point of the rightside edge of the product at the lower edge of the right leg opening.Refer to FIG. 2. The lateral distance is measured perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the product.

Average-Strand-Spacing

Using a ruler calibrated against a certified NIST ruler and accurate to0.5 mm, measure the distance between the two distal strands within asection to the nearest 0.5 mm, and then divide by the number of strandsin that section−1

Average-Strand-Spacing=d/(n−1) where n>1

report to the nearest 0.1 mm.

Pressure-Under-Strand (Also Referred to as AveragePressure-Under-Strand)

Defined as the average pressure imparted by each individual elasticstrand of a section under specific conditions. These conditions aredefined as (refer to FIG. 16):

-   -   The section is pulled to a Stress of 7 gf/mm (within a consumer        preferred range of stresses as determined experimentally)    -   The section is pulled over a cylinder whose circumference is        defined as a Representative-Circumference

Where:

-   -   Pressure-Under-Strand        (psi)=1.422*Strand-Force/(2*Representative-Radius*Average-Strand-Diameter)    -   Representative-Radius (mm)=Representative-Circumference/(2*pi)    -   Representative-Circumference (mm)=460 mm    -   Stress (gf/mm)=(Summation of Strand-Forces within a        section)/(Section-Width)    -   Section-Width (mm)=(Number of Elastics in the        section)*Average-Strand-Spacing (mm)    -   Strand-Force (gf)=Strand-Strain (%)*0.046875*Average-Dtex    -   Strand-Strain (%)=strain in each elastic strand within a section    -   Average-Strand-Diameter (mm)=2*sqrt        (Strand-Cross-Sectional-Area/pi)    -   Strand-Cross-Sectional-Area        (mm²)=Average-Dtex/Strand-Density/10,000    -   Strand-Density (g/cc)=1.15 g/cc (industry standard for        PolyUrethaneUrea based spandex elastics)    -   Dtex (g/10,000 m)=Standard textile unit of measure. Dtex is        weight in grams for 10,000 m of the material    -   Average-Pre-Strain=Amount of stretch in elastic strands in a        section prior to combining with substrate layer(s).    -   Maximum-Strain=Average-Pre-Strain. This is the maximum amount of        strain each section can be pulled to. It cannot exceed the        Average-Pre-Strain.    -   Maximum-Section-Force=Summation of each strand in the section        pulled to the Maximum-Strain.

Section-Modulus

Defined as the modulus of a given section. Section-Modulus (alsoreferred to as modulus) is the linear slope of the stress vs strain dataof the section between 3 gf/mm and 7 gf/mm (refer to FIG. 15).Section-Modulus is calculated as:

Section-Modulus=[7 gf/mm−3 gf/mm]/[(section strain at 7 gf/mm)−(sectionstrain at 3 gf/mm)]

Where:

-   -   section strain at 7 gf/mm=7        gf/mm*(Average-Strand-Spacing)/DTEX-FACTOR    -   section strain at 3 gf/mm=3        gf/mm*(Average-Strand-Spacing)/DTEX-FACTOR    -   Average-Strand-Spacing (mm)=d/(n−1)    -   d is the distance (mm) between the two distal strands of the        section    -   n is the number of strands, when n>1    -   DTEX-FACTOR=37.5*Average-Dtex/800 (dtex as measured, specified)    -   Section-Modulus is reported in units of (gf/mm)

Average Decitex (Average-Dtex)

The Average Decitex Method is used to calculate the Average-Dtex on alength-weighted basis for elastic fibers present in an entire article,or in a specimen of interest extracted from an article. The decitexvalue is the mass in grams of a fiber present in 10,000 meters of thatmaterial in the relaxed state. The decitex value of elastic fibers orelastic laminates containing elastic fibers is often reported bymanufacturers as part of a specification for an elastic fiber or anelastic laminate including elastic fibers. The Average-Dtex is to becalculated from these specifications if available. Alternatively, ifthese specified values are not known, the decitex value of an individualelastic fiber is measured by determining the cross-sectional area of afiber in a relaxed state via a suitable microscopy technique such asscanning electron microscopy (SEM), determining the composition of thefiber via Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and thenusing a literature value for density of the composition to calculate themass in grams of the fiber present in 10,000 meters of the fiber. Themanufacturer-provided or experimentally measured decitex values for theindividual elastic fibers removed from an entire article, or specimenextracted from an article, are used in the expression below in which thelength-weighted average of decitex value among elastic fibers present isdetermined.

The lengths of elastic fibers present in an article or specimenextracted from an article is calculated from overall dimensions of andthe elastic fiber pre-strain ratio associated with components of thearticle with these or the specimen, respectively, if known.Alternatively, dimensions and/or elastic fiber pre-strain ratios are notknown, an absorbent article or specimen extracted from an absorbentarticle is disassembled and all elastic fibers are removed. Thisdisassembly can be done, for example, with gentle heating to softenadhesives, with a cryogenic spray (e.g. Quick-Freeze, Miller-StephensonCompany, Danbury, Conn.), or with an appropriate solvent that willremove adhesive but not swell, alter, or destroy elastic fibers. Thelength of each elastic fiber in its relaxed state is measured andrecorded in millimeters (mm) to the nearest mm.

Calculation of Average-Dtex

For each of the individual elastic fibers f of relaxed length L_(i) andfiber decitex value d_(i) (obtained either from the manufacturer'sspecifications or measured experimentally) present in an absorbentarticle, or specimen extracted from an absorbent article, theAverage-Dtex for that absorbent article or specimen extracted from anabsorbent article is defined as:

${{Average}\text{-}{Dtex}} = \frac{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\; \left( {L_{i} \times d_{i}} \right)}{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}L_{i}}$

where n is the total number of elastic fibers present in an absorbentarticle or specimen extracted from an absorbent article. TheAverage-Dtex is reported to the nearest integer value of decitex (gramsper 10 000 m).If the decitex value of any individual fiber is not known fromspecifications, it is experimentally determined as described below, andthe resulting fiber decitex value(s) are used in the above equation todetermine Average-Dtex.

Experimental Determination of Decitex Value for a Fiber

For each of the elastic fibers removed from an absorbent article orspecimen extracted from an absorbent article according to the proceduredescribed above, the length of each elastic fiber L_(k) in its relaxedstate is measured and recorded in millimeters (mm) to the nearest mm.Each elastic fiber is analyzed via FT-IR spectroscopy to determine itscomposition, and its density ρ_(k) is determined from availableliterature values. Finally, each fiber is analyzed via SEM. The fiber iscut in three approximately equal locations perpendicularly along itslength with a sharp blade to create a clean cross-section for SEManalysis. Three fiber segments with these cross sections exposed aremounted on an SEM sample holder in a relaxed state, sputter coated withgold, introduced into an SEM for analysis, and imaged at a resolutionsufficient to clearly elucidate fiber cross sections. Fiber crosssections are oriented as perpendicular as possible to the detector tominimize any oblique distortion in the measured cross sections. Fibercross sections may vary in shape, and some fibers may consist of aplurality of individual filaments. Regardless, the area of each of thethree fiber cross sections is determined (for example, using diametersfor round fibers, major and minor axes for elliptical fibers, and imageanalysis for more complicated shapes), and the average of the threeareas a_(k) for the elastic fiber, in units of micrometers squared(μm²), is recorded to the nearest 0.1 μm². The decitex d_(k) of the kthelastic fiber measured is calculated by:

d _(k)=10 000 m×a _(k)×ρ_(k)×10⁻⁶

where d_(k) is in units of grams (per calculated 10,000 meter length),a_(k) is in units of μm², and ρ_(k) is in units of grams per cubiccentimeter (g/cm³). For any elastic fiber analyzed, the experimentallydetermined L_(k) and d_(k) values are subsequently used in theexpression above for Average-Dtex.

Open Area

Defined as the percentage of a Section not occluded by elastic strands.Un-apertured films have an Open Area 0%. Apertured film Open Area=(areaoccupied by apertures)/(total film area). None of today's marketeddisposable absorbent articles comprising a film in one or more of abelt, sided panel, or ear panel, waistband, cuff, wing are believed tohave and Open Area above 50%. Open Area is defined as:

Open Area (%)=(Average-Strand-Diameter)/Average-Strand-Spacing

Average-Pre-Strain

The Average-Pre-Strain of a specimen are measured on a constant rate ofextension tensile tester (a suitable instrument is the MTS Insight usingTestworks 4.0 Software, as available from MTS Systems Corp., EdenPrairie, Minn.) using a load cell for which the forces measured arewithin 1% to 90% of the limit of the cell. Articles are conditioned at23° C.±2 C.° and 50%±2% relative humidity for 2 hours prior to analysisand then tested under the same environmental conditions.

Program the tensile tester to perform an elongation to break after aninitial gage length adjustment. First raise the cross head at 10 mm/minup to a force of 0.05 N. Set the current gage to the adjusted gagelength. Raise the crosshead at a rate of 100 mm/min until the specimenbreaks (force drops 20% after maximum peak force). Return the cross headto its original position. Force and extension data is acquired at a rateof 100 Hz throughout the experiment.

Set the nominal gage length to 40 mm using a calibrated caliper blockand zero the crosshead. Insert the specimen into the upper grip suchthat the middle of the test strip is positioned 20 mm below the grip.The specimen may be folded perpendicular to the pull axis, and placed inthe grip to achieve this position. After the grip is closed the excessmaterial can be trimmed. Insert the specimen into the lower grips andclose. Once again, the strip can be folded, and then trimmed after thegrip is closed. Zero the load cell. The specimen should have a minimalslack but less than 0.05 N of force on the load cell. Start the testprogram.

From the data construct a Force (N) verses Extension (mm). TheAverage-Pre-Strain is calculated from the bend in the curvecorresponding to the extension at which the nonwovens in the elastic areengaged. Plot two lines, corresponding to the region of the curve beforethe bend (primarily the elastics), and the region after the bend(primarily the nonwovens). Read the extension at which these two linesintersect, and calculate the % Pre-Strain from the extension and thecorrected gage length. Record as % Pre-strain 0.1%. Calculate thearithmetic mean of three replicate samples for each elastomeric laminateand Average-Pre-Strain to the nearest 0.1%.

Force Relaxation Over Time

The Force Relaxation over Time of a specimen is measured on a constantrate of extension tensile tester (a suitable instrument is the MTSInsight using Testworks 4.0 Software, as available from MTS SystemsCorp., Eden Prairie, Minn.) using a load cell for which the forcesmeasured are within 1% to 90% of the limit of the cell. Articles areconditioned at 23° C.±2 C.° and 50%±2% relative humidity for 2 hoursprior to analysis and then tested under the same environmentalconditions. Prepare a sample size such that it enables a gauge length of25.4 mm (parallel to the elastic stretch) at a width of 12.7 mm.

Program the tensile tester to perform an elongation to determine theengineering strain at which the tensile force reaches 0.0294 N/mm.

Prepare and condition a second sample as described above for the ForceRelaxation over time test. The test is performed on the same equipmentas described above. It is performed at a temperature of 37.8° C. Extendthe sample to the strain as determined above. Hold the sample for 10hours and record the force at a rate of 100 Hz throughout the experimenta chart showing the data for an extruded strand prior art product and aninventive elastomeric laminate comprising beam elastic as describedherein is show in FIG. 23.

CONCLUSION

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. An absorbent article, comprising: a front waist region, a back waistregion, and a crotch region therebetween; a chassis comprising atopsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between thetopsheet and the backsheet, wherein the chassis comprises a front endedge, a back end edge, and a pair of laterally opposing side edges; aback belt disposed in the back waist region overlapping and extendingoutboard of the back end edge of the chassis; a front belt disposed inthe front waist region overlapping and extending outboard of the frontend edge of the chassis; wherein the front belt is joined to the backbelt at or adjacent the laterally opposing belt side edges to form legopenings and a waist opening to form a closed-form pant; a longitudinalaxis extending from the midpoint of the front waist edge to the midpointof the back waist edge; a lateral axis extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis through the midpoint of the longitudinal axis; whereinthe back belt comprises a first plurality of elastics comprising greaterthan about 40 elastic strands, and wherein the front belt comprises asecond plurality of elastics comprising greater than about 40 elasticstrands; wherein the first plurality of elastics has anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than 4 mm, and wherein the secondplurality of elastics has an Average-Strand-Spacing of less than 4 mm;wherein the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette is from about 0.8 to about1.1; wherein the Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette is from about 0.8 toabout 2.0; and wherein the absorbent article has a Relaxed Product WaistWidth from about 80 mm to about 270 mm and a Relaxed Product Hip Widthfrom about 80 mm to about 300 mm.
 2. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the absorbent article has a Relaxed Product Waist Width fromabout 170 mm to about 270 mm and a Relaxed Product Hip Width from about170 to about 300 mm.
 3. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein theabsorbent article has a Relaxed Product Waist Width from about 80 mm toabout 180 mm and a Relaxed Product Hip Width from about 80 mm to about200 mm.
 4. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the back beltcomprises a first plurality of elastics comprising greater than about 70elastic strands, and wherein the front belt comprises a second pluralityof elastics comprising greater than about 50 elastic strands.
 5. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of elasticshas an Average-Strand-Spacing of less than 3 mm, and wherein the secondplurality of elastics has an Average-Strand-Spacing of less than 3 mm.6. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the Average-Dtex of thefirst plurality of elastics is from about 10 to about 500, and whereinthe Average-Dtex of the second plurality of elastics is from about 10 toabout
 500. 7. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein thePressure-Under-Strand of the first plurality of elastics is from about0.1 to about 1 psi, and wherein the Pressure-Under-Strand of the secondplurality of elastics is from about 0.1 to about 1 psi.
 8. The absorbentarticle of claim 1, wherein the back belt is divided into 4 equalsections, wherein Section 4 comprises a proximal end edge of the backbelt, Section 1 comprises a distal end edge of the back belt, Section 2is proximate to Section 1 and Section 3 is proximate to Section 4,wherein at least two of the sections each have greater than 10 elasticstrands; and wherein the front belt is divided into 4 equal sections,wherein Section 4 comprises a proximal end edge of the back belt,Section 1 comprises a distal end edge of the back belt, Section 2 isproximate to Section 1 and Section 3 is proximate to Section 4, whereinat least two of the sections each have greater than 10 elastic strands.9. The absorbent article of claim 8, wherein Section 1 of the back beltis longitudinally longer than Section 1 of the front belt.
 10. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of elastics ofthe back belt are between an inner and an outer nonwoven, and whereinthe second plurality of elastics of the front belt are between an innerand an outer nonwoven, and wherein the inner nonwovens of the front andback belts are separate and distinct and longitudinally spaced from eachother, and wherein the outer nonwovens of the front and back belts areseparate and distinct and longitudinally spaced from each other.
 11. Anabsorbent article, comprising: a front waist region, a back waistregion, and a crotch region therebetween; a chassis comprising atopsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between thetopsheet and the backsheet, wherein the chassis comprises a front endedge, a back end edge, and a pair of laterally opposing side edges; aback belt disposed in the back waist region overlapping and extendingoutboard of the back end edge of the chassis; a front belt disposed inthe front waist region overlapping and extending outboard of the frontend edge of the chassis; wherein the front belt is joined to the backbelt at or adjacent the laterally opposing belt side edges to form legopenings and a waist opening to form a closed-form pant; a longitudinalaxis extending from the midpoint of the front waist edge to the midpointof the back waist edge; a lateral axis extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis through the midpoint of the longitudinal axis; whereinthe back belt comprises a first plurality of elastics comprising greaterthan about 60 elastic strands, and wherein the front belt comprises asecond plurality of elastics comprising greater than about 60 elasticstrands; wherein the first plurality of elastics has anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than 4 mm, and wherein the secondplurality of elastics has an Average-Strand-Spacing of less than 4 mm;wherein the Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette is from about 0.8 toabout 1.08; wherein the Product-Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette is from about0.8 to about 2.8; and wherein the absorbent article has a RelaxedProduct Waist Width from about 200 mm to about 400 mm and a RelaxedProduct Hip Width from about 200 mm to about 450 mm.
 12. The absorbentarticle of claim 11, wherein the absorbent article has a Relaxed ProductWaist Width from about 300 mm to about 400 mm and a Relaxed Product HipWidth from about 300 mm to about 450 mm.
 13. The absorbent article ofclaim 11, wherein the absorbent article has a Relaxed Product WaistWidth from about 200 mm to about 300 mm and a Relaxed Product Hip Widthfrom about 200 mm to about 350 mm.
 14. The absorbent article of claim11, wherein the back belt comprises a first plurality of elasticscomprising greater than about 80 elastic strands, and wherein the frontbelt comprises a second plurality of elastics comprising greater thanabout 80 elastic strands.
 15. The absorbent article of claim 11, whereinthe first plurality of elastics has an Average-Strand-Spacing of lessthan 2.5 mm, and wherein the second plurality of elastics has anAverage-Strand-Spacing of less than 2.5 mm.
 16. The absorbent article ofclaim 11, wherein the Average-Dtex of the first plurality of elastics isfrom about 10 to about 500, and wherein the Average-Dtex of the secondplurality of elastics is from about 10 to about
 500. 17. The absorbentarticle of claim 11, wherein the Pressure-Under-Strand of the firstplurality of elastics is from about 0.1 to about 1 psi, and wherein thePressure-Under-Strand of the second plurality of elastics is from about0.1 to about 1 psi.
 18. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein theback belt is divided into 4 equal sections, wherein Section 4 comprisesa proximal end edge of the back belt, Section 1 comprises a distal endedge of the back belt, Section 2 is proximate to Section 1 and Section 3is proximate to Section 4, wherein at least two of the sections eachhave greater than 20 elastic strands; and wherein the front belt isdivided into 4 equal sections, wherein Section 4 comprises a proximalend edge of the back belt, Section 1 comprises a distal end edge of theback belt, Section 2 is proximate to Section 1 and Section 3 isproximate to Section 4, wherein at least two of the sections each havegreater than 20 elastic strands.
 19. The absorbent article of claim 18,wherein the first plurality of elastics of the back belt are between aninner and an outer nonwoven, and wherein the second plurality ofelastics of the front belt are between an inner and an outer nonwoven,and wherein the inner nonwovens of the front and back belts are separateand distinct and longitudinally spaced from each other, and wherein theouter nonwovens of the front and back belts are a common nonwoven layerthat extends continuously from a distal end edge of the front belt to adistal end edge of the back belt.
 20. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the first plurality of elastics of the back belt are between aninner and an outer nonwoven, and wherein the second plurality ofelastics of the front belt are between an inner and an outer nonwoven,and wherein the inner nonwovens of the front and back belts are a commonnonwoven layer that extends continuously from a distal end edge of thefront belt to a distal end edge of the back belt, and wherein the outernonwovens of the front and back belts are a common nonwoven layer thatextends continuously from a distal end edge of the front belt to adistal end edge of the back belt.